Chapter 41

The next morning, there was a main class. The students in the class arrived just before the class started. Seeing that the teacher was about to come in to give a lecture, the monitor stood up, walked to the podium, and slapped the book on the table twice: "Well, before the class starts, I have a few words to say. Everyone, please be quiet."

The laughter in the class gradually faded. The monitor looked around and said, "There have been some bad rumors in the class recently. They are about Qiao Bailu. I want to clarify this matter today. Qiao Bailu is a good student with excellent character and academic performance. Those rumors are groundless and completely framed! Groundless! The students in our class are all highly educated people. They have their own judgments in their hearts and should be able to hear that these are slanders. Who knows who is behind them..."

Someone sneered below. Qiao Bailu didn't see clearly and frowned. She felt that the monitor's words were too official. She simply stood up and walked to the podium: "I just heard about this yesterday. I also know that if there is no evidence, no one will know which side to stand on. So, I will clearly explain these rumors to everyone today."

"The main content of the rumor is that I'm being kept by someone for two reasons. One is that someone saw a man in a suit driving to see me, and the second is that I've suddenly bought a lot of brand-name clothes recently."

Qiao Bailu sneered twice: "First of all, let's talk about the first point. I've thought about it. No one has come to see me since the start of school. The only time was in mid-March when my younger brother came. He is my younger brother, born to the same parents. Second, I never said that my family has no money, and I never said that I can't make money."

As she spoke, Qiao Bailu opened her schoolbag, took out a few books, and shook them down: "Since high school, I have published a book every year. So far, there are five books in total. The royalties are enough for me to buy clothes. Why do I have to be kept by someone before I can buy brand-name products?"

"Who has a third reason to prove that I'm being kept? Is it that someone found out that I have real estate outside the school, or was I photographed entering and leaving a famous residential area? One person said that he probably didn't like me, Qiao Bailu, and he made up a lie on purpose, but I didn't expect that there were so many people who were so stupid that such empty talk almost spread outside our college!"

Qiao Bailu sneered, "I don't know what the person behind this rumor is up to. I'll just say one thing today: a man of integrity is not afraid of his own shadow. If you really want to discredit me, Qiao Bailu, just bring out the evidence openly and honestly, don't be a villain behind my back! Forget it this time, but if there is a next time, I will resort to legal means. Although defamation will not lead to jail time, by then, we will have grievances to avenge grievances and revenges to avenge. I, Qiao Bailu, am not a generous person."

After saying that, she walked off the stage, even though doing so might offend 90% of the class because everyone might have spread such gossip. To them, this matter was just gossip, and when they told others about it, they just had a curious and fun mentality. Look, that pretty girl in our class is actually being kept by someone. I really can't tell.

They didn't consider the impact of such words on Qiao Bailu's reputation. Some even had dark thoughts, thinking that Qiao Bailu was prettier than them, that Qiao Bailu's academic performance was better than theirs, and secretly hoped that the rumor was true.

Qiao Bailu was completely merciless on the podium just now, just like a slap in the face of those who gossiped about her. She could imagine that after today, it would be difficult for her to make any good friends in the class.

But she didn't regret it. In this world, bullies always pick on the weak. If she gave in this time, she might get bullied again next time. Besides, she didn't expect to make friends with those who said bad things about her.

If she has no friends, then she has no friends. She is too cool, so she has no friends! Oh, there is nothing we can do about it. Who can help her because she is so outstanding?

Qiao Bailu curled her lips and sat quietly. As for the school scholarship, although the classmates had to select moral models, how many points could this moral model account for? At worst, she could just work harder and achieve even better results.

"You are so bold, you said it without any mercy." Zhou Mengyao came closer, a little frustrated: "I said I would find out who was behind this for you, but you solved it so easily without even telling me!"

"I deliberately didn't tell you. Don't be angry. Come, let me explain to you." Qiao Bailu said hurriedly. Just as she was about to speak, she saw the teacher coming in. She coughed lightly, took out a pen and wrote a few words on the paper.

Zhou Mengyao took it with a smile, looked at it, gave Qiao Bailu a thumbs up, replied a few words, and passed it back. Yao Lingling was sitting behind them, and when she saw the little movements between the two of them, she curled her lips, lowered her head, and quietly opened the textbook.

After class, Zhou Mengyao skipped back to the dormitory. Qiao Bailu had entrusted her with an important task, and she had to complete it well. In order to avoid suspicion, she had better not get too close to Qiao Bailu in the next two days, so that she could get more information.

Seeing her skipping away, Qiao Bailu couldn't help laughing. She closed her textbook and planned to call Xie Jiayuan.

"I underestimated you. I thought you would just swallow your anger and pretend nothing happened." Yao Lingling's voice came from behind. Qiao Bailu's mouth twitched. She only needed one venomous friend! She didn't need more!

She prefers the queen-like sharp tongue and the innocent and cute type who speaks without thinking. At least it is easier to deal with, and she will be dizzy after a few nice words.

"However, your move today was not a good one. I guess tomorrow people will start to spread rumors that you are arrogant and look down on others." Yao Lingling continued. Qiao Bailu sneered, "Do you think I care?"

"You don't care, but I don't know if someone in the class will give you a hard time in the future." Yao Lingling smiled and said, "For example, you will be missing from class meetings, class activities, and all group activities. You will be excluded. How do you feel about that?"

Qiao Bailu touched her chin and said, "This is really a bit upsetting. How about this, if there are any activities in our class in the future, will you notify me?"

Yao Lingling sneered: "Why should I inform you?"

"Because we are friends." Qiao Bailu stretched out her hand to hook Yao Lingling's shoulder and said with a smile. The familiar enthusiasm made Yao Lingling's body stiffen. Then she said with disdain: "Who is your friend? If I didn't see that you can control your mouth, I would not pay attention to you."

If Qiao Bailu had revealed even a few words about her and the instructor in the class, many people would have come to ask about it. After all, the instructor was not only good, but also not an ordinary soldier in the army. He had a great future, and many girls in the class were attracted to him.

But Qiao Bailu didn't say a word. Just based on this point, Yao Lingling felt that Qiao Bailu was a trustworthy person.

Qiao Bailu was not stupid. She felt a little guilty when she heard what Yao Lingling meant. She had discussed this matter with Xie Jiayuan as a big gossip, and she was not completely secretive. Of course, she couldn't tell Yao Lingling about this now.

After chatting for a while, Qiao Bailu left quickly and told Xie Jiayuan about her brave actions today: "They all think that this matter is over after I made a harsh statement today. No one will be on guard against Zhou Mengyao. When Mengyao finds out, I will definitely not let the person behind this go!"

"What are you going to do then?" Xie Jiayuan asked with a smile, "Sue him, beat him up, or scold him in front of the whole class?"

"I won't do such a thing. The police won't intervene in such conflicts between classmates. Beating and scolding them would be too low for me. When the time comes, I will just go to their house and give them a warning and that's it."

Even if Zhou Mengyao could find out who was behind the scenes, Qiao Bailu couldn't do anything without evidence. She could just give a warning and vent her anger.

After this incident, Qiao Bailu was more determined to move out during the summer vacation. However, at present, she only told Zhou Mengyao and Yao Lingling. Yao Lingling didn't care, but Zhou Mengyao was a little unhappy: "Originally, I could only talk to you in our dormitory. Now that you're gone, I don't want to go back to the dormitory, but my parents insist that I live on campus."

"Why don't you think of a way to swap dormitories with someone else?" Qiao Bailu said heartlessly, "Zhao Xiaoqiong and the others don't like you anyway, so they'd be eager for you to move out. Let them think of a way to see who in the class is closer to them."

Zhou Mengyao clapped her hands and laughed: "I'll just wait for them to come up with a solution?"

"Well, but the place you are transferred to may not be in your favor, so it's better for you to ask around yourself." Qiao Bailu said. Zhou Mengyao sighed, "It's not that easy. Wait, I'll go home and beg my parents. Maybe they will be willing to let me go back home and live there?"

After a pause, Zhou Mengyao's eyes suddenly lit up: "Since you are planning to move out, how about I move in with you? This way we can still live together, and I won't tell my parents."

Qiao Bailu shook her head: "No, I have already made plans. I will live with my brother and Xie Jiayuan. It is not appropriate for you, a single girl, to live with us."

Although she was a little unhappy, Zhou Mengyao also knew that Qiao Bailu meant well, so she muttered a few words and didn't mention the matter again.

June came quickly. Qiao Zhenting took the preliminary exams for the six schools he attended. As expected, he failed the B Film School. As expected, he failed the Communication University of China. As expected, he failed the remaining four schools, one of which was in Zhejiang University.

These were all first-class schools, and Qiao Zhenting was disappointed that he didn't pass. He had been training for more than half a year, not even a year, and his talent was not that high, so it would be a miracle if he could pass. However, another school, B Yan, was just established two years ago. It was originally a junior college, and it was just converted to a second-class school the year before last, becoming the only school with a relatively high level of education.

The last two are both in junior college.

Qiao Zhenting was a little hesitant. The newly built school had a good name, but the teaching staff was not sure. The two junior colleges had a long history and were quite famous in City B. The teaching staff could be found out.

I can't decide which one to choose.

He came to Qiao Bailu twice, but Qiao Bailu couldn't make up her mind, so she simply sent him home: "Ask our parents. Also, the college entrance examination is coming soon. Your class teacher has called you. You should go back quickly and take the exam before coming back. After you come back, if you pass the college entrance examination, you can make your choice. If you don't pass the college entrance examination, it's useless for you to choose now."

Come to think of it, he hasn't read a book for half a year, and his academic performance may not be good enough. It's too early to start making a choice now.

So, I hurried home. At least I read two pages of the book before the college entrance examination. It would be a good time to sharpen my sword before the battle.

Two days after Qiao Zhenting left, Zhou Mengyao came to him stealthily and said, "I have already found out about what you asked me to do before. Do you want to hear it? If you want to hear it, you can treat me. If not, I won't tell you."

"Okay, okay, I'll treat you." Qiao Bailu was speechless, and she also invited Yao Lingling. After all, if Yao Lingling hadn't reminded her, by the time Qiao Bailu discovered it herself, her reputation would have spread outside the academy long ago.

After saying something to Xie Jiayuan, Qiao Bailu took Yao Lingling and Zhou Mengyao out to eat alone. The three of them asked for a small private room, and once the door was closed, they could talk freely.

"Let's order first and talk while we eat." Qiao Bailu said while holding the menu. She looked up and down and left and right twice and ordered something light. She had been worried about Qiao Zhenting's heat recently and had a pimple on her forehead, so she had to pay attention to her diet.

Yao Lingling was not polite. She took the menu and ordered two super spicy dishes. She also joked with Qiao Bailu: "Some people get acne even if they don't eat chili peppers. For example, I am naturally beautiful and I don't get acne no matter how much chili peppers I eat. This is something you can't envy. It's fate."

Zhou Mengyao laughed: "Hey, this is the first time I find your words so funny, it suits my temper, come on, come on, in order to get along, let's order a few more, don't be polite to Bai Lu, Bai Lu is always rich."

After saying that, he winked and made faces at Qiao Bailu. Qiao Bailu said helplessly, "Please stop mocking me, okay? Only you believe that. My parents are old farmers. My family is very poor. When I was a child, my clothes were new for three years, old for three years, and mended for another three years. I bought new clothes once every ten years!"

Zhou Mengyao opened her mouth wide, looking surprised: "Really? So bitter?"

Yao Lingling's mouth twitched and she looked at Zhou Mengyao: "Do you really believe it?"

Zhou Mengyao looked confused: "Is it not true? But when my parents recall the past, they always say how poor we were. Bai Lu's family is from the countryside, so isn't that even poorer?"

Yao Lingling was very disappointed: "Children grow so fast, they change every year. How can she wear the same clothes for ten years? Can you wear the open-crotch pants she wore when she was one year old for ten years? Well, even if it's the clothes she wore when she was ten years old, can you wear them until you are twenty years old? Have you grown taller?"

Zhou Mengyao looked at Qiao Bailu with an accusing look on her face: "Are you worthy of me who believes in you so much?"

Qiao Bailu couldn't help laughing. After spending a long time with this girl, her shortcomings could be turned into advantages.

"Okay, no more jokes. You said you found out who was saying bad things about me behind my back. Can you tell me the name now?" Qiao Bailu asked with a smile as she handed the menu to the waiter. Zhou Mengyao shook her finger and said, "You will never guess. It's not the two people in our dormitory."

"Not them? Oh my god, this is beyond my expectation." Qiao Bailu was a little surprised. Zhou Mengyao curled her lips: "However, even if it didn't come from their mouths, they also deserve the credit for spreading the news. Originally, it was Huang Qiwen who spread it first, saying that she saw someone driving to see you, and then jokingly said, could it be that you are being kept by someone? Zhao Xiaoqiong and Chu Weiwei happened to hear it, so the news spread like this."

Qiao Bailu opened her mouth wide: "Are you sure it's true?"

"It must be confirmed. I also paid money to bribe Huang Qiwen's roommate. Huang Qiwen was talking to her roommate at the time. Later, it was leaked and Huang Qiwen didn't dare to admit it."

Huang Qiwen had always had good grades, and she was the only one competing with Qiao Bailu for the scholarship. Probably out of jealousy, she said that jokingly, but she didn't expect that Zhao Xiaoqiong and Chu Weiwei would take advantage of her.

"No, I was surprised that you stopped before finding Zhao Xiaoqiong and continued to investigate. It was really beyond my expectation." Qiao Bailu said with a smile. Zhou Mengyao curled her lips: "Don't think I can't tell that you are calling me stupid. In fact, I also thought it was Zhao Xiaoqiong who said it at first, but I didn't go directly to Zhao Xiaoqiong. I went directly to Chu Weiwei. I said that if Chu Weiwei didn't admit it, I would find someone to confront her directly. In order to protect herself, Chu Weiwei gave out Zhao Xiaoqiong and Huang Qiwen."

After a pause, she herself was a little puzzled: "I just picked Chu Weiwei at random. How can I confront her directly about this matter? Why did Chu Weiwei admit it? She and Zhao Xiaoqiong are so close, why didn't she even make an excuse?"

"Do you really think there is any friendship between people like this?" Yao Lingling said disdainfully. Qiao Bailu touched her chin and said, "What I'm curious about is, how could Chu Weiwei believe that you would find someone to confront her?"

"So, this is actually Zhou Mengyao being used?" Yao Lingling raised her eyebrows and asked. Qiao Bailu sighed: "I always feel like I'm watching a big show. If I wasn't the one being watched, I would applaud this show."

"I don't understand what you are talking about. Why did Chu Weiwei want to use me? Did she think I would confront Huang Qiwen and Zhao Xiaoqiong and ruin their reputations?"

"Even if you don't say it, she can still sell it to Bai Lu." Yao Lingling sneered: "She is very good at dealing with people. Did she also say that we are all roommates and she can't bear to break up the dormitory?"

Zhou Mengyao's eyes widened: "How do you know?"

"You can already guess it. Look, there's a novel on the Internet recently that's very popular. It's about the intrigues among women. You can go back and read it. Maybe it will improve your IQ." Yao Lingling said with a smile.

Zhou Mengyao touched her chin: "What's the name?"

"Ten Miles of Red Makeup." Yao Lingling said, Qiao Bailu's eyes widened, the world is too small, isn't it? The book she read online was called Ten Miles of Red Makeup, and the one to be published was called The Battle of Red Beauties, both of which were about house fighting.

"Um, is the heroine called Ye Honglian?" Qiao Bailu asked cautiously. Yao Lingling couldn't help but raise her eyebrows: "You've read it too? Isn't it very good? I was attracted to it at first by her Qing Dynasty novel. I thought she was just following the trend and became famous by luck. Who knew that the second book would be just as good? It made me anxious. I wish the author would update 100,000 words a day and finish it directly."

Yao Lingling talked a lot about her favorite novels, which was completely different from usual. Zhou Mengyao and Qiao Bailu couldn't help but stare at her with wide eyes. Yao Lingling felt a little uncomfortable: "What's wrong? Is there something stuck on my face?"

"No, it's just that you get really excited when you talk about novels. I've never been like this before." Qiao Bailu said with a smile. Seeing the waiter bring the food, she helped to arrange the dishes: "If you like, go write one yourself."

"I tried, but not many people read it." Yao Lingling also laughed: "Actually, I didn't plan to be a writer. I don't have the talent. I originally applied for the journalism department and wanted to be a reporter. I was transferred to this literature college."

"Wow, a reporter? Why didn't you apply for B-movie?" Qiao Bailu asked with a smile. Yao Lingling looked at her with contempt: "Aren't all industries related to the entertainment industry the best for B-movie, okay? Especially the industry of reporter, which has the least relationship with the entertainment industry."

"Okay, I asked in vain." Qiao Bailu said hurriedly, changing the subject: "But don't waste what you have learned. Even if you can't become a writer, you can write something to entertain yourself in the future."

"Let's talk about it later. I don't like typing all day either. It's too tiring." Yao Lingling waved her hand and returned to the original topic: "What are you going to do about Zhao Xiaoqiong? And Huang Qiwen, do you want to expose her?"

"No need to come." As soon as Qiao Bailu said this, Yao Lingling sneered: "You are so generous that you can let go of such a thing."

"It's not that I let them go, but I don't want me to become the same as them. I'll talk to Huang Qiwen later and the problem will be solved. As for Chu Weiwei and Zhao Xiaoqiong, let them be. I won't associate with them in the future. There will definitely be people who are curious and ask about it. If I tell them the truth then, won't they learn a lesson?"

"Besides, I'm very busy. I have to study, type and write manuscripts, take care of my brother and my boyfriend. I don't have time to worry about how to take revenge on them." Qiao Bailu said with a smile, and stretched out her hand to pinch Yao Lingling's cheek: "Thank you for worrying about me."

He thanked Zhou Mengyao again: "You helped me a lot this time. Tell me, what are your requests?"

"I'm not helping you for any reason." Zhou Mengyao pouted and sighed, "My most important request has been refuted by you. Hey, I also want to move out. I really don't want to live with them anymore."

"You want to move out?" Yao Lingling turned around and asked. Zhou Mengyao nodded. Yao Lingling touched her chin and said, "Actually, I was planning to move out too."

Qiao Bailu widened her eyes. No way, you two live together, are you planning to spray everyone around you into sieves?

Chapter 42

At the end of June, Qiao Zhenting's college entrance examination scores came out, and he barely passed the score line of Beijing Film Academy. Qiao Zhenting went home to ask his parents for their opinions, but his father and mother didn't even think about it and directly chose Beijing Film Academy.

Although Beijing Theatre Academy was upgraded to a second-tier university only the year before last, the others are all junior colleges. Beijing Theatre Academy was also a junior college before. If you choose between junior colleges, you will definitely choose the one with the longest history and the best achievements now.

Why did Beijing Performing Arts School change from a junior college to a second-tier university? Isn't it because Beijing Performing Arts School is qualified? Since it is qualified, it must be much better than the junior colleges of the same period, right?

So, when Qiao Zhenting filled out his college entrance examination application, Beijing Film Academy was the first one.

Knowing that he had passed the score line, Qiao Bailu temporarily ignored him and focused on her own exams. Besides being in the classroom, she was in the study room. She returned to the dormitory on time at night, slept and went out. For a whole half month, except for Zhou Mengyao, she had almost no contact with the other two people.

Her attitude was a little subtle to those who cared. Those who disliked Qiao Bailu said that she was too arrogant. Those who had no feelings for Qiao Bailu thought more.

Those who can get into Q University, even if their emotional intelligence is not high, their IQ is not low. For a while, several people actually came to Qiao Bailu to apologize in person, saying that they had listened to it as a joke at the time, but did not stop it, and they were very sorry to Qiao Bailu.

Qiao Bailu didn't expect such a result. She was so happy that she not only generously forgave the three people, but also exchanged phone numbers with them. She planned to investigate them in the future and make friends if they were destined to be together.

It is impossible for people not to make mistakes, but there are not many adults who can admit their mistakes, correct them, and apologize. Most of them only care about their own face and refuse to admit their mistakes.

So Qiao Bailu quite admires these three.

In a blink of an eye, the exam was over. Qiao Bailu waited for Xie Jiayuan for two more days. She didn't plan to go home this summer vacation. First, she had finished writing the script, and she planned to look for a media company to see if anyone wanted it. Second, she would be a sophomore at the beginning of the school year, and she wanted to move out and had to find a house quickly.

She didn't go back, and neither did Xie Jiayuan. The two of them checked the map online and decided to choose an address between the two schools, even if it was a little bigger. When Qiao Zhenting was a freshman, he often went back to the dormitory to stay for two days.

After selecting several communities and conducting field investigations, we chose two very quiet communities and then looked for agents nearby. The agents were very fast. As soon as they made the request, we were able to go and see the house immediately.

The house has three bedrooms and one living room, with heating and air conditioning, and is fully furnished. You can move in with just your luggage. Because it is not far from Q University, the rent is not low. The rent for one year is equivalent to the royalties of Qiao Bailu's two books. It also strengthened Qiao Bailu's determination to sell the scripts quickly to make money. By the way, he had to continue to open new scripts. Royalties are also money, and he couldn't lose any of it.

After cleaning the room, the two rented a car and went back to school to move their things. They spent another day tidying up their new home.

After finishing, Qiao Bailu sat on the sofa and didn't want to move. Xie Jiayuan went to get a bottle of water and handed it to her: "Take a day off tomorrow. What are your plans for the script? Go directly to the company? Which company?"

"I checked several large media and film companies in City B. I'll go visit them first. If that doesn't work, I'll submit my work. If that doesn't work, I'll participate in a script competition. Currently, there are several larger competitions. One is the Morning Star Cup, which will be held in August. One is the Jinghua Cup, which will be held in September. One is the Winter Thunder Cup, which will be held in December. The remaining two are movie script competitions. Mine is a TV series, which is not relevant, so I'll rule it out."

She had already checked and found that large film and television companies usually had their own screenwriters and rarely used outsiders. Qiao Bailu herself didn't like the small ones, so she chose medium-sized and large ones.

In later life, she never paid much attention to film and television companies, and she didn't know which company would have a better future. For now, she could only take one step at a time.

"I have no experience in this area and can't help you much, so I can only accompany you around." Xie Jiayuan said with a smile, pinching Qiao Bailu's cheek: "But don't worry, if one year doesn't work, two years will do. When you publish more books and become a famous writer, there will always be people who know your stuff and will contact you."

This is true. Aren’t there many TV series adapted from online novels? In a word, you still need to have the ability to do it.

After a pause, Xie Jiayuan went back to the room to get something and handed it to her. Qiao Bailu took it, a little surprised, and raised her eyebrows to look at him. Xie Jiayuan sat back with a smile and kissed her: "Keep it in the future. If there is money at home, just use it and don't ask me. The password is your birthday."

"So generous? How much?" Qiao Bailu asked happily, not because of the money, but because of Xie Jiayuan's attitude. He was able to think of giving money for the household expenses and even handed over the card, which clearly showed that he would live a good life in the future.

"About 20,000 or 30,000, not much, but don't worry, I will find a way to make more money in the future." Xie Jiayuan felt a little embarrassed. Compared with his girlfriend, he was too incompetent and a little embarrassed. However, this was only temporary. He had to work harder in the future. He couldn't let his girlfriend support him.

"What are we having for dinner?" Xie Jiayuan asked while rubbing her hair, changing the subject. Qiao Bailu didn't bother with him. He wasn't an outsider, so why would she refuse? If he gave her money, she would use it. If he ran out of money in the future, could she not give him money? She casually put the card on the table, lazily lay on the sofa and acted like a spoiled child: "I don't want to move. Let's order takeout?"

Xie Jiayuan nodded. There was no kitchenware at home, so he couldn't cook even if he wanted to. He looked up the phone number of the place online and ordered two meals. The two of them had a quick meal and planned to go to bed.

But the problem is, there is only one bathroom in the house, who will take a shower first?

Qiao Bailu looked at Xie Jiayuan, who couldn't help laughing and looked her up and down: "You go first?"

"Well, you go first?" After taking a shower, you have to go back to the room. Then, well, it seems that after taking a shower and putting on clothes, you won't be exposed. But who comes out of the bathroom and puts on clothes neatly? Don't they all wrap themselves in a bath towel first?

"Go ahead. I'll go back to the room first. Call me when you're done." Xie Jiayuan admired the blushing beauty for a while, then stood up and said, "I'll read a book for a while. Let's go out for a walk tomorrow and buy some kitchenware and ingredients. We can't eat out all the time."

Qiao Bailu nodded quickly, and when she saw Xie Jiayuan enter the room, she quickly took a bath towel and went into the bathroom. It was a hot summer day, and she was busy all day and sweated a lot. She could hardly bear it.

After washing, he was about to open the door, but suddenly he thought of something, so he stopped and tiptoed. He opened the door a crack, glanced outside for several times, and made sure that there was no one in the living room. Then he came out carefully, rushed into his room like a fly, closed the door, and locked it.

Send a text message to Xie Jiayuan - I'm done washing, you go ahead.

Xie Jiayuan next door was holding his phone, not knowing whether to laugh or cry. This damn girl, is it necessary to be so cautious? They are boyfriend and girlfriend, not strangers! He shook his head helplessly, put down his phone, took his clothes and went to take a shower, and knocked on the door next door: "Hurry up and dry your hair, don't use the air conditioner with wet hair, it's easy to catch a cold."

Qiao Bailu responded and made a face. She applied lotion before changing into clean clothes. She had originally planned to change directly into pajamas, but thinking that Xie Jiayuan might come over later, she dressed neatly.

I had my hair cut when I was in my third year of high school. One year later, it has grown to shoulder length again. Qiao Bailu grabbed it and looked at it. How about getting it done tomorrow? This way I will look more mature, and I won't be looked down upon if I go to a film and television company.

As I was hesitating, I heard a knock on the door: "Bai Lu?"

Qiao Bailu hurried to open the door: "Why are you washing so fast?"

"Boys usually take showers faster. Have you blow-dried your hair?" Xie Jiayuan touched it and found it was half dry. He nodded and sat down at the desk. "I'll bring the book to your room to read later. That way we can save on air conditioning fees."

The corners of Qiao Bailu's mouth twitched, and she nodded: "Okay, by the way, Jiayuan, what do you think about me straightening my hair?"

"Well, OK, let's go early tomorrow morning." Xie Jiayuan nodded with a smile and went to get the book. Of the three bedrooms, Qiao Bailu's was the largest. The bed was placed next to the door, and the wardrobe was at the end of the bed. There was a large window at the head of the bed, and a desk in the corner that could accommodate four people.

Xie Jiayuan didn't just bring in one book, he moved a stack of books. Qiao Bailu helped him put them on the bookshelf next to the table, and then an envelope fell out of a book.

Qiao Bailu glanced at Xie Jiayuan. The envelope had been opened. She pulled out the letter inside, glanced at it, and read in a pinched voice: "Dear Jiayuan, it's very presumptuous to call you this. In fact, I have said this name countless times in my heart. Every time I see you, I have to use a lot of effort to control myself from calling you this in person..."

Xie Jiayuan was helpless: "Isn't it just two pieces of waste paper?"

Qiao Bailu curled her lips and went straight to look at the signature - Zhang Minmin, who is it?

"I don't know him either. He suddenly appeared in the book." Xie Jiayuan spread his hands: "Okay, dear, don't take it to heart. I won't do anything to let you down."

"Don't be so cheesy!" Qiao Bailu stuffed the letter back: "Why don't you give it back?"

"I've already told you I don't know who wrote this, one letter a day, it's really annoying, I threw away the first few, I was going to throw this one away but then I forgot and it's just been sitting in the book ever since."

Xie Jiayuan sighed: "If I didn't want to make a big deal out of this, I would have posted the letter on the bulletin board."

"Zhang Minmin, I'll ask around later." Qiao Bailu stuffed the letter into her book. "I remember that our school had a hometown gathering in May. I know someone who is in the medical school. Although he is not in the same department as you, I think he can find out."

As he said that, he took out his phone and started texting. Xie Jiayuan was a little confused: "Hometown reunion? How come I didn't know there was a hometown person in the medical school?"

"Of course you don't know him. He's a sophomore." Qiao Bailu said slowly. Xie Jiayuan frowned: "Sophomore? What kind of logic is this? Why don't I know him when I'm a sophomore?"

"There's no logic. If you don't know him, then you don't know him. What excuse can you give?" Qiao Bailu sent a text message, smiling. However, she also understood what Xie Jiayuan meant, so she added, "Didn't you go to the bathroom that day? The senior came over at that time, just walked around twice and left, so you don't know him."

Xie Jiayuan touched his chin. What a coincidence! When he went to the toilet, his girlfriend was approached by someone?

"I think that senior may have bad intentions towards you. Think about it, in just a few minutes, why didn't he ask for someone else's phone number instead of yours?" Xie Jiayuan said. Qiao Bailu tilted her head: "Because I was the closest to him, he also asked for the phone number of the boy next to me."

"Well, since he's a sophomore, it's useless to ask. The person who wrote the letter is probably a freshman." Xie Jiayuan blinked and changed the subject. Qiao Bailu shook her head: "Not necessarily. I'll ask around first. It would be great if I can find out. If not, I'll go to your class more often when school starts. By the way, everyone in your class knows that you have a girlfriend, right?"

"I know. You're my phone screensaver, the photos in my wallet are of you, and I ask you to have dinner and study with me every day. How could I not know that you're my girlfriend? There are so many people who envy me."

Xie Jiayuan said with a smile, pulled Qiao Bailu, hugged her in his arms, lowered his head and kissed her: "Why, are you worried that someone will steal your girl?"

"Yes, I noticed that you have a lot of romantic relationships. First, you met an admirer on the playground... By the way, what was that girl's name?" Qiao Bailu asked hurriedly. Xie Jiayuan shook his head innocently, "I don't know her."

Bella Qiao smiled and kissed him: “You are very smart, this is a compliment.”

"Honey, can I ask for more praise?" Xie Jiayuan put his arm around her waist and asked, "Not only do I not know the girl's name, I don't even remember what she looks like. Of the girls we moved to, I only know the name and appearance of the student council member, and I don't know the others."

"It's obviously a lie." Qiao Bailu curled her lips: "Lying is not good, not only is there no reward, but there is also a punishment?"

"What punishment? Like this?" After saying that, he suddenly lowered his head and covered the lips that he wanted to bite just now. Perhaps because he knew that after moving, no one would suddenly appear around, this kiss was more passionate and lingering than before by Xie Jiayuan.

As they were kissing, the two of them fell down.

The hands lingered on Qiao Bailu's delicate and white skin, and the lips with a blazing heat covered her from her face to her collarbone, not sparing a single inch of her body. The enthusiasm was so intense that Qiao Bailu felt as if her head was filled with paste and she couldn't remember anything.

"No, we're not married yet, I can't..." Xie Jiayuan muttered, pulling the skirt down again, but he was still lying on Qiao Bailu, his heavy breathing calmed down for a long time, and he kissed the corner of Qiao Bailu's mouth: "Bailu, I'm sorry, I couldn't control myself."

Qiao Bailu's face flushed. She had kissed and hugged before, but never like this...

"Don't worry, I won't do it to the end. I respect you. Let's do this kind of thing after we get married." Xie Jiayuan touched her hair, pulled her up, and held her on his lap: "We are still in school now, we can't have any accidents. After we get married, we can have children. Then, how about we have two? A boy and a girl..."

Qiao Bailu burst out laughing: "You haven't even gotten married yet, but you're thinking too far ahead. Besides, isn't there family planning now? One child per family, where do you get two?"

"There will always be a way when the time comes." Xie Jiayuan said with a smile, pinching the flesh on Qiao Bailu's belly, his face serious: "I suddenly realized that you have grown flesh on your belly, and you can even pinch it."

Qiao Bailu was shocked and quickly lowered her head. She pinched herself twice and wondered, "That's not right. I can still wear my old clothes and they don't feel tight. How could I be fat?"

"Then I saw it wrong? Let me take another look." Xie Jiayuan stretched out his hand to lift Qiao Bailu's skirt, and Qiao Bailu quickly covered it: "Don't look! Anyway, I'm not fat, and you can't dislike me even if I am fat!"

"No, I'm happy about it. It's better if you're a little fatter. It's more comfortable to hug you." Xie Jiayuan said with a smile. Of course, the most important thing is that if he gets fatter, he won't be afraid of someone snatching him away.

The silly girl stared at his love letters all day, not knowing how many flirts were around her. Oh, as a boyfriend, I was really nervous. I had been secretly having sex with her since high school, and I didn't dare to let this silly girl know. If she could be a little fatter, it would save a lot of effort.

"I despise you." Qiao Bailu pouted. She had not forgotten the embarrassment of being despised ten times out of ten when she went on blind dates after gaining weight in her previous life. In this life, no matter what, she could not let herself gain weight.

"Starting tomorrow, the two of us will go running every morning!" Qiao Bailu clenched her fists: "I just neglected it for a few months and it turned out like this. It seems that people should not be lazy! After school starts, let's run to school. It's not far anyway."

"Okay, I'll do whatever you say." Xie Jiayuan had no choice but to let her run. At most, he could feed her more. She would definitely be hungry if she ran too much. If it really didn't work, he could only let her lose weight. Then he would have a treat for himself, right?

It was past nine o'clock before the two of them could finally get down to work. Qiao Bailu continued to type, while Xie Jiayuan continued to read. They didn't interfere with each other, but knowing that the other was by their side, they were very sweet even without talking.

At 10:30, she started to pack up and go to bed. I don't know if it was because she was tired or because she thought of Xie Jiayuan next door, Qiao Bailu tossed and turned, but she couldn't fall asleep. She couldn't open her eyes, but her mind was very clear. Since she couldn't fall asleep, she simply started to plan tomorrow's schedule.

In the morning, she went downstairs to have breakfast, get her hair done, go to the supermarket, and stayed at home in the afternoon. In the evening, she checked the route and went to all three film and television companies. Well, in fact, she also wanted to try the two big ones. Whether they succeeded or not, they had already tried. If she didn't try, she wouldn't even have a chance.

Otherwise, just give it a try? There is no reason to ignore this leader in city B.

I thought about it until midnight and finally fell into a deep sleep. The result of sleeping too late is that I can't get up the next morning. I vaguely heard a knock on the door, but Qiao Bailu ignored it and turned over to continue sleeping.

When I woke up again, I looked at the clock and it was already half past ten. I sat up quickly, got out of bed, and opened the curtains. The sun was glaring outside. I quickly changed my clothes and opened the door, and saw Xie Jiayuan sitting on the sofa: "Are you up? I bought breakfast, you go wash up quickly."

Qiao Bailu hurriedly responded and went to the bathroom to wash her face and brush her teeth. When she came out, she saw soy milk, buns, and two fried dough sticks on the coffee table. Qiao Bailu took a bite of the bun and asked vaguely, "What time did you get up?"

"Seven o'clock, you got up late." Xie Jiayuan closed the book and poured her soy milk. "I called you but you didn't wake up. I thought you must be tired yesterday, so I went downstairs to buy food. I just looked outside the community and saw three barbershops. The first one is cheaper, the second one is more upscale but very expensive, and the third one is farther away and has more people. I saw quite a few people waiting when I went there early in the morning."

"Are the people waiting here to get their hair done or have their hair cut?" Qiao Bailu asked hurriedly. Xie Jiayuan shook his head: "I didn't look carefully, but we can ask the guard when we go there."

Qiao Bailu nodded quickly, pouting her greasy lips to kiss Xie Jiayuan: "You are so capable!"

Xie Jiayuan wiped his face with a tissue in disgust: "Alright, hurry up and eat. It takes a long time to do your hair. It will be noon by the time you finish. Let's eat lunch outside?"

Qiao Bailu had no objection, so she gave him an OK sign, swallowed the last bite of the bun, and stood up to pick up her bag. Xie Jiayuan looked up and said, "Your bag is peeling. Shall we buy a new one this afternoon?"

"Well, I've already used it for a year. It's not a famous brand, so it's bound to peel off." She bought it when she went to City Z with her parents after graduating from high school. It's pretty good that it can be used for a whole year.

As they were talking, the two of them went downstairs and asked the guard, who said that all three barbershops were good. Qiao Bailu didn't want to wait too long, so she went to the second one. If she recharged her membership card, she would get a 30% discount. The price was only about 100 yuan more expensive than the third one.

Xie Jiayuan also brought a book with him so that he could pass the time while Qiao Bailu was getting her hair done.

I have to say, the high price is justified. After the procedure, her hair not only has no odor, but also looks smooth and natural. The hairstyle is also very well done, which perfectly sets off her face shape. Her beauty value instantly increased by a degree.

"Isn't it beautiful?" Qiao Bailu turned around and asked Xie Jiayuan happily. Xie Jiayuan nodded, paid the bill, and took her out: "It's very beautiful. I almost can't recognize it."

Qiao Bailu was even happier, humming a little tune all the way, almost floating up. Seeing this, Xie Jiayuan couldn't help laughing, and pulled Qiao Bailu's hand and pressed it down hard: "If you float up and scare passers-by, we can't afford to pay for it."

There were many restaurants outside the community, and the two of them randomly picked one and ate two rice bowls with toppings, then planned to go shopping first, and then go to the supermarket after returning. The supermarket inside the community was not big, but it was enough. If that didn't work, there was a vegetable market outside, and the small shop at the door sold all kinds of pots and pans, which was very complete, and saved them from carrying such heavy things around.

The shopping list was what Qiao Bailu thought of last night, including her own bag and clothes, and Xie Jiayuan's shoes and clothes. It was strange, why did Xie Jiayuan still grow taller after entering college, but she didn't?

Chapter 43

Because Qiao Bailu also wanted to try those two dragon heads, the next day's schedule was very tight. She got up at six in the morning, had breakfast, packed up, and set off at seven. When she arrived in Hualien, it was exactly eight o'clock, and the front desk was working.

Qiao Bailu took a deep breath, and Xie Jiayuan reached out and pinched her cheek: "Be more confident, if this one doesn't work out, try another one. Anyway, you are still young. I checked, the more famous screenwriters in the circle are already in their thirties or forties. You still have twenty years to struggle, so don't be nervous."

Qiao Bailu smiled and nodded, and went to the front desk with Xie Jiayuan: "Excuse me, how do I get to your company's screenwriting department? I want to submit a script, what is your company's process for receiving scripts?"

The receptionist was very pretty. She looked at Qiao Bailu in surprise and asked, "Are you going to submit a script? For a movie or a TV show?"

"TV series." Qiao Bailu said with a smile. The receptionist paused and shook her head: "I'm sorry, our company doesn't accept scripts from outside."

"You won't accept any at all?" Qiao Bailu frowned slightly: "Aren't you afraid of missing out on good scripts?"

"I'm sorry, but our company only writes TV scripts in-house. We don't accept outside scripts. You can still submit movie scripts." The receptionist shook her head apologetically, "Ma'am, I'm sorry."

"How do I contact the screenwriter department of your company? What if they want to take a look?" Qiao Bailu lay on the front desk, looking at the receptionist with a pleading look: "Or, can you just give me a contact number?"

"I'm sorry, the company number will not be disclosed." The receptionist continued to shake her head. Qiao Bailu was unwilling to give up, and begged softly, "Please, please help me. As long as I can meet one person, I will have the confidence to convince him. I have published several novels before, so I am not without any foundation. Please, help me?"

Qiao Bailu is pretty, with a pair of eyes that look a lot like Qiao's father's, big, round, and bright. She looks so cute when she puts her hands together to beg for help, even the receptionist is tempted. But when she thinks of the company's rules, she immediately shakes her head and says, "I'm sorry, I really can't do that. If I leak the company's internal phone number, I will be punished. I'm sorry, I can't help you."

"Then can you show me a way?" Qiao Bailu blinked and took a step back when she heard the other party's tone soften. The receptionist bit her lip and said, "I only know that the director of our screenwriting department is named Li. He comes to work every day and drives a black BMW."

Qiao Bailu's eyes lit up, and she nodded quickly. She pulled out a bag of chocolate from her bag and stuffed it into the receptionist's pocket: "Thank you very much, you helped me a lot, thank you very much!"

The receptionist hurriedly declined: "No, I didn't say anything."

"I understand. You didn't say anything and I didn't hear anything. I tried to bribe you with chocolate, but you were very loyal and would rather die than accept it. I understand." After saying that, he stuffed the chocolate into the receptionist's hand, turned around and rushed out with Xie Jiayuan.

Parking lots are usually under buildings, but there are security guards outside. Qiao Bailu and Xie Jiayuan squatted outside for a long time, but they couldn't get in. The security guards were much more resolute than the receptionist. If they said they would not let them in, they would not let them in.

"What should we do? If we don't get in, it will be nine o'clock. The latest time the company starts working is nine o'clock. If we can't get in, we probably won't see anyone." Qiao Bailu said depressedly, and Xie Jiayuan shook his head: "If you ask me, we should think of other ways. Those who can come to work in this building are either rich or noble. 90% of them can afford BMWs. BMWs only have a few colors, and black accounts for half of them. Li is a famous surname. How can you be sure that the person you find is the director of the screenwriting department?"

"Besides, I think the most important thing about a script is that it should be shown to the director. If you show it to a screenwriter, he may agree with it, but if he agrees with it but the director doesn't, it won't work." Xie Jiayuan shook his head and said, "Why do we have to go through the screenwriting department?"

"But it's hard to find a screenwriter, and even harder to find a director." Qiao Bailu complained: "Some directors are more difficult to find than popular stars because they are famous. At least the screenwriter is not that famous, and he doesn't put on too much airs."

"That's not necessarily true." Xie Jiayuan shook his head. "You said you have a good script. Some directors are interested and might take a look. As for the screenwriters, they might think you are stealing their jobs. The company has only so many resources each year, so they will definitely film whoever has the best script. If your script is good, do you think the screenwriters will have any ideas?"

"Then let's go find the director?" Qiao Bailu widened her eyes. The girl at the front desk was willing to reveal a little bit of information about the screenwriting department, but she would definitely not reveal any information about the director.

"Let's wait for a while and search online to see if we can find pictures of those directors. This is much easier than looking for screenwriters." Xie Jiayuan said. Qiao Bailu thought it made sense and nodded in agreement. It was already half past nine anyway, and everyone who was supposed to go to work had probably already gone to work. She wouldn't be able to find anyone today, so she might as well go back and think of another way.

"No, we can't go back first. This company doesn't accept scripts from outside, so we can only find a way ourselves. But maybe the next company will be willing to accept scripts from outside? Let's go and see." Qiao Bailu said with a smile. This is the simplest way.

Xie Jiayuan nodded, and to save time, the two of them hailed a taxi and headed straight to the next film and television company.

Similarly, that company also did not accept outside scripts. When she went to the third company, they finally accepted it. The front desk asked her to leave the outline behind. Qiao Bailu didn't even see anyone who could make the decision.

Qiao Bailu originally planned to visit three theaters a day, but after looking at the time, it was only a little after four o'clock, so she decided to visit one more theater. The situation at this last theater was very similar to the third one, but it was someone from the screenwriting department who came forward and looked directly at Qiao Bailu's outline: "Adapted from a novel?"

"Well, the novel has been published. The market response is pretty good. It has been reprinted twice." Qiao Bailu took out the book and handed it to the uncle: "I adapted the script myself."

The uncle nodded and looked through the outline: "Okay, leave the outline and the book here first, I'll take a look at it. If it works, I'll give you a message within three days. If not, forget it."

Qiao Bailu nodded quickly and left the outline and the book with a smile. After leaving the company, she looked at the time and it was already six o'clock. Qiao Bailu stretched and said, "Okay, we finally see some hope. Let's have a good meal tonight to celebrate?"

"Goodbye, let's celebrate after we get some news." Xie Jiayuan rubbed her hair: "Now, we have to keep a low profile, and you have to think that you will not succeed."

"You have no ambition!" Qiao Bailu glared at him, clenched her fists and placed them on her chest to pray: "I will definitely succeed! Even if I don't succeed, there is still the script competition. I am ready to sign up. If it doesn't work out, I will continue to adapt it and treat it as a way to hone my writing skills. I will adapt all the novels I have written!"

Xie Jiayuan gave a thumbs up: "Okay, I'm a witness, you must do what you say."

"Of course I will. Who am I, Qiao Bailu? Have I ever broken my promise? Just wait. I will definitely become a top screenwriter. When the time comes, you can enjoy the good life with me."

Qiao Bailu said proudly, and Xie Jiayuan burst out laughing, pinched the chubby cheeks, leaned over and kissed the pink lips: "Okay, future gold medal screenwriter, what are we eating tonight?"

"Let's eat screw noodles!" Qiao Bailu held Xie Jiayuan's arm and smiled, "Let's go back after we finish eating. I just wandered around outside today and didn't write a single word for the two novels. Now I've developed a habit. If I don't write 12,000 words a day, I feel like I've committed a crime. I feel very uncomfortable. So, let's go back early?"

Xie Jiayuan nodded, and the two of them found a random restaurant outside to have dinner, and then hurried back. Qiao Bailu turned on the computer and started typing, while Xie Jiayuan was reading a book. His girlfriend was walking too fast, so he had to hurry up. Otherwise, who knows if there will be a wolf waiting in front, and take away his girlfriend who is walking too fast.

He hadn't forgotten that from his freshman year in high school to his freshman year in college, the number of rivals he had dealt with in private was as many as two hands. Alas, his girlfriend was too outstanding, so he had to keep a closer eye on her.

The next day, Qiao Bailu dragged Xie Jiayuan to continue running, and they visited four more companies that day. After these four companies, Qiao Bailu had finished running all the companies on her list that were middle-to-upper-class and local companies in City B. The remaining companies were in other provinces and cities, which were too far away, so she had no plans to do so for the time being.

The next step was to wait for the news. Three days passed quickly. Qiao Bailu was a little restless at first, but soon she was immersed in the joy of typing. When she came to her senses, three days had passed.

Qiao Bailu was a little disappointed: "The one who said he would give me the news in three days didn't call me?"

"No." Xie Jiayuan shook his head and hugged the man into his arms: "Next, let's start blocking those directors?" There is indeed not much information on the Internet. This is not the time of the Internet explosion in later generations. This is only 2005. It is already very good to be able to find photos on the Internet. The home address and the company to which they belong are basically impossible to find.

"Wait and see. It's mid-July now and August is coming soon. Let's wait for the script competition." Qiao Bailu thought about it and shook her head. The director is really not that easy to deal with. If he has a good temper, he might be willing to take a look. If he has a bad temper, he might be blacklisted in the future.

Xie Jiayuan nodded: "As long as you have a plan, then let's wait for the script competition. Have you found out about the competition?"

"I found out that the Morning Star Cup in August is hosted by our school. I signed up before the holiday." Qiao Bailu said with a smile. Xie Jiayuan was a little surprised: "Hosted by our school?"

"Yes, the Morning Star Cup College Student Original Script Competition is for students. Not only students from our school can participate, but students from other schools can also participate. However, students from our own school must have a lot of advantages." Qiao Bailu said with a smile, and went back to the room to get the registration form. "Here, I have registered my name. Oh, and there are prizes. The first prize is 100,000, the second prize is 60,000, and the third prize is 20,000. If you can win the championship, you may even be able to become my apprentice."

"Become a disciple?" Xie Jiayuan asked again. Qiao Bailu nodded: "Yes, it's just like your class. You have good grades. Is there a professor who wants to be your mentor now?"

It is clear this way. The nature is the same. Only if you have achieved good results can you be noticed by better teachers and they will be willing to cultivate you.

Xie Jiayuan nodded: "I believe you will definitely win the award. By the way, among the professors in our school who are related to this screenwriter, which one do you like the most? Who do you want to learn from?"

"Of course it's Teacher Miao Wenqing, he's the screenwriter of 'Water Lake Legend'!" Qiao Bailu said immediately, her eyes sparkling. "Of course, we'd look for the best, but, to be honest, they have to have the same personalities. For example, if I'm someone who values the plot, and I'm dating someone who values the atmosphere, even if I like that teacher and that teacher likes me, it's probably not a good idea."

Then he sighed and said, "I don't know if it will work yet. I won't consider becoming his apprentice for now. Anyway, the professor won't leave the school. I still have plenty of opportunities. I still have three years to graduate. After graduation, I can study for a master's degree. That's six years. I don't need to rush."

Xie Jiayuan nodded: "You are right, your mentality is very good, don't be impatient, you can't eat hot tofu in a hurry, what you need to do now is to hone your writing skills and write better novels and better scripts."

"Yes! I will revise the script again and strive to make it better." Qiao Bailu clenched her fist and went back to her room to turn on the computer with full energy. Xie Jiayuan also had the potential. He had already inquired about it. There will be experimental classes in the sophomore year. If his grades are good, he might be chosen by the laboratory teacher to help.

Don't underestimate the free labor. This opportunity is something that many people want but cannot get. Helping out in a lab is a very good learning opportunity. Not only can you enrich yourself, but you may even be noticed by a mentor.

If he could be accepted as a disciple, that would be the greatest blessing. For this, Xie Jiayuan must work harder, and he cannot just memorize what is in the book, but must integrate it. Recently, he borrowed a lot of books on biological experiments from the library. If he wants to stay in the laboratory, his hands-on ability must not be too bad.

Time flies when there is something to do. August is here in a blink of an eye. The competition starts on August 10th. Qiao Bailu can't go to watch. However, she can watch the competition in front of the computer.

The competition is divided into two rounds. The first round is the preliminary test, and you only need to upload the outline and the screenwriter's statement. The manuscripts will be collected on the 10th and the deadline for submission is the 15th. The results of the preliminary test will be announced on the 18th, and the list will be announced on the website of Q Academy. Then comes the second round, which is supervised by the instructor and requires uploading the entire content of the script.

Two people were watching two computers, one watching the experimental video, and the other watching the script on the homepage of the School of Arts. The outline of the preliminary exam was available to everyone, and Qiao Bailu was looking through other people's outlines.

It has to be said that there are many excellent works. In recent years, due to the popularity of the TV series "Princess Mingxiu", there are many works on the theme of the Qing Palace. In addition, novels about traveling through the Qing Dynasty are particularly popular recently, so there are also many scripts of this type.

Including Qiao Bailu, there are a total of eight scripts, all of which are about the Qing Dynasty.

Qiao Bailu was extremely nervous, because according to the outline, these works were all very good and attractive. She was originally very sure that she would definitely win the award, but now, she felt that it was very dangerous.

On the day the results came out, Qiao Bailu started refreshing the webpage at 8 a.m. and continued until 10 a.m. Finally, the list of those who passed came out, and her name was not at the top, but slightly behind.

"What should I do? I suddenly have no confidence." Qiao Bailu sighed and leaned on Xie Jiayuan's shoulder. Xie Jiayuan rubbed her hair: "If it doesn't work this time, there will be next time. It's not just this year."

Qiao Bailu sighed again: "What else can I do? This is the only way. I have to work hard." She always thought she had a golden finger and knew the popular trends in the next ten years. She had achieved success whether she was writing physical novels or online novels.

Aren't there two Qing Dynasty dramas that were very popular in later generations? I think what I have now is much better than those two dramas, but when put together with others, it is very unremarkable.

Come to think of it, there were thousands of Qing Dynasty novels online back then, but only those two were chosen to be adapted into scripts. Why were those two successful? They must have their own shining points. Her current script may be good, but it may not be good for others.

Her so-called golden fingers may not be effective. For example, she knew that novels about rebirth would be popular in 2013, but now in 2005, she used this popular theme in advance. It may become a big hit, or it may be like a stone dropped into the sea.

If it becomes popular, then what will be popular in 2013 will definitely not be Rebirth. If the stone falls into the sea, then she has failed.

It's not that she hasn't heard of the butterfly effect, but she just never took it to heart.

Well, this failure was not without benefit. At least, she could see her position more clearly. Nothing else mattered, only writing style and creativity were the most important. She still lacked a lot.

After figuring it out, Qiao Bailu stopped paying attention to the script contest. She called Qiao Zhenting and asked him when he would come over. Qiao Zhenting was still on summer vacation, and after calculating the time, he realized that school was about to start, so he immediately said he would come back.

Qiao Bailu gave him the address, but she didn't plan to pick him up. School was about to start, and she had to concentrate on her studies. She had already fallen from the top of the grade, but she couldn't just follow the crowd and fall to the middle. She had to at least stay in a position where she could get a scholarship.

But, a person should have ambitions, and she is an ambitious woman, so she plans to return to the first place. Even if she can't return to the first place, she must return to the top three. Therefore, it is important to prepare for the lessons.

On August 23, Qiao Bailu was leaning on Xie Jiayuan, who was leaning on the sofa, and the two of them were reading their own books. Then, the doorbell rang. Qiao Bailu jumped up to open the door. Qiao Zhenting was standing outside wearing a pair of big sunglasses, carrying a backpack and pulling two large boxes in his hands.

"Carrying so many things?" Qiao Bailu was a little surprised. She helped him pull the box into the door, and Xie Jiayuan also came over to help.

"Oh, I didn't want to bring it either, but my parents said you didn't go home during the summer vacation, so they insisted that I bring it. We made our own chopped green onion pancakes, meat-filled sesame cakes, shredded pork noodles, and fried rice. This schoolbag is full of food."

Qiao Zhenting patted his hands and said, "Mom said that the leftovers should be frozen in the refrigerator first. Oh, by the way, the bean curd buns, meat buns, vegetable buns, fried dough sticks, and vegetable dumplings are all made by mom herself."

Otherwise, he was unwilling to bring it. As soon as he opened his backpack on the train, it was full of the smell of food, and he was embarrassed to look at other people's eyes.

Not only in the schoolbag, but also in the box, there are more than half of food. However, these are not made by Qiao's mother herself, but all bought, such as Nutri-Express, steamed buns, shaqima, cakes, small biscuits, rice crust, and all kinds of things.

"These are gifts from relatives who visited our house." Qiao Zhenting asked as he sorted out his clothes, "Which one is my room?"

"Well, it's been cleaned, you can just put the things there." Qiao Bailu said, sorting out all the food. Those that can't be put away are placed on the coffee table and will be eaten in the next two days. Those that can be put away are placed in the cabinet. Those that need to be frozen are frozen, and those that can't be frozen are placed in the refrigerator first.

"It's not a festival, why did someone send so many gifts?" Qiao Bailu asked. Qiao Zhenting curled his lips and said, "Because I got into a second-tier university. My relatives are partial to you. When you got into university, they gave you money, hundreds of dollars. When I got into university, they just gave me a box of milk."

A box of milk costs no more than thirty yuan, and fruit milk costs more than ten yuan.

Qiao Bailu couldn't help laughing: "Who told you to only get into a second-tier university, and a film and television college at that? It's hard to say whether you can become a star in the future."

"Sister, you are my real sister, please stop poking my heart." Qiao Zhenting stuck his head out and begged for mercy: "I am already depressed enough. By the way, Xie Jiayuan, are you living in our house too?"

"What are you talking about? Jiayuan paid the rent, so why can't I live here?" Qiao Bailu went over to him and said, "Don't talk to Xie Jiayuan like that in the future. Why didn't you act like this when you asked him for help with your homework before?"

"Well, I've finished the college entrance examination, so I don't need him anymore, so you don't have to be polite." Qiao Zhenting pouted and grabbed Qiao Bailu: "The rent is paid by Xie Jiayuan? Sister, you are not married yet..."

"I gave it to you as well, for sharing." Qiao Bailu said quickly, blocking Qiao Zhenting's mouth with a vegetable dumpling: "Okay, I know what's going on, just take care of yourself, pack up your things quickly, take a shower, and then take a nap. I'll call you for dinner tonight."

Qiao Zhenting made a face at Xie Jiayuan, took his clothes and went to take a shower. Qiao Bailu turned to look at Xie Jiayuan and gave him a kiss as a comfort: "He is just a child, don't mind it, I will help you beat him next time."

"It doesn't matter, I don't take it to heart." Xie Jiayuan couldn't help laughing: "You don't have to do anything, I will find a way to teach him a lesson in a few days."

"You won't fight, will you?" Qiao Bailu frowned. Xie Jiayuan shook his head: "Of course not, I definitely can't beat him. Don't worry, I'll just go talk to him or something."

The boy must be unhappy that his sister was taken away. In fact, Qiao Zhenting is not unreasonable. The first time he expressed dissatisfaction with Xie Jiayuan was when he knew that Xie Jiayuan was his sister's boyfriend. The second time he expressed dissatisfaction with him was when he and Qiao Bailu went on a date without him. This is the third time, because he lives with Qiao Bailu.

Others don't know that they live in two rooms. If a boyfriend and girlfriend live in the same house, others will definitely think they are living together. This matter doesn't have a big impact on boys, but it is not a small impact on girls.

Qiao Zhenting didn't beat anyone up, which was already very considerate of him.

Chapter 44

Qiao Zhenting slept all afternoon and had dinner in the evening, but he was energetic. Xie Jiayuan raised his hand and patted his shoulder: "I have something to talk to you about. Shall we go to your room?"

Qiao Bailu was carrying dishes to the kitchen and didn't hear anything. Reaching out and touching his chin, Qiao Zhenting stood up and took Xie Jiayuan to his room.

"I know you are unhappy with me because of your sister. You think it's too soon for us to live together now, right?" Xie Jiayuan got straight to the point. Qiao Zhenting nodded: "You are only freshmen. Okay, even if you are sophomores when school starts, you are only 20 years old. How can you be sure that you will get married after graduation?"

"What's the worst outcome?" Xie Jiayuan asked with a smile. Qiao Zhenting blinked: "What's the worst outcome?"

"What if, in another year or two, we graduate from college, what will be the worst outcome between your sister and I?" Xie Jiayuan asked again. Qiao Zhenting frowned: "What could be the worst outcome? Isn't it that you and my sister break up?"

After a pause, he continued, "We are both men, so we don't say those empty words. You and my sister live together day and night, under the same roof, so it is inevitable that there will be times when you can't help it. At that time, the worse result than breaking up is probably that my sister gets pregnant and you abandon her, right?"

Xie Jiayuan nodded: "If such a result really happens, what will you do?"

Qiao Zhenting's expression changed instantly. Without thinking, he punched Xie Jiayuan in the face. Xie Jiayuan quickly turned his head to avoid it: "I was just thinking about it, not really! I don't plan to break up with your sister!"

"You can't even think about it. You already have this idea now. Who knows if you will be more determined in two years? While my sister is not too deeply involved, I will beat you to death first, and then take my sister to find a good man."

Qiao Zhenting rushed forward with gnashing teeth. To be honest, he had wanted to beat up Xie Jiayuan three years ago. But at that time, his elder sister was always watching him, so he didn't have many opportunities to be alone with Xie Jiayuan. Later, he got guidance from Xie Jiayuan in his studies, so he gradually gave up the idea.

Unexpectedly, Xie Jiayuan has already started to think about breaking up after graduation. If he can't be killed, then his name Qiao Zhenting will be written upside down!

"If I really hurt you, your sister will see it in a while." Xie Jiayuan used a pillow to block it and said helplessly, "I'm just asking you, if the worst happens, can you give your sister a way out? Just if, I mean, you don't have to worry too much. No, I mean, all this is impossible. I respect your sister. I will never do anything to hurt her before we get married. Hey, hey, hey, listen to me, a gentleman uses words instead of fists, don't you know? If you hit me again, I will call you sister."

Xie Xueba is smart enough. He can understand things that others have to think hard to understand after reading them once. No matter what subject he is in, he can do it very well. Xie Xueba has a gentle personality, is sincere to others, is tall, and has a good appearance. He is almost flawless. But that is only almost. Xie Xueba's weakness is that he can't fight, because he never uses force to solve problems. He will never use force if he can use words.

So, when he met Qiao Zhenting who was ready to fight at the slightest disagreement, and because the other party was his girlfriend's younger brother, he had no power to fight back. After being hit two or three times, he had to threaten: "I really called you sister."

After saying that, he shouted loudly: "Bai Lu!"

Qiao Bailu was washing dishes, and when she heard the voice, she just asked, "What are you doing?"

Qiao Zhenting froze in an instant, and covered Xie Jiayuan's mouth with one hand, while responding: "It's okay, I'll ask Brother Jiayuan something."

Qiao Bailu said, "Oh!" and thought to herself, school is about to start, should the results of the Morning Star Cup Script Competition be announced? Although she had always thought that she would fail, she still felt a little relieved before she saw the results. Maybe the reviewers' eyesight is not very good?

"You villain!" Qiao Zhenting glared at Xie Jiayuan. Xie Jiayuan rubbed his stomach, sat up, and patted his clothes calmly: "It's OK as long as it works. Besides, this is not some conspiracy, it's an open conspiracy! Okay, sit down quickly, don't be anxious, listen to me slowly, I really don't mean to break up with your sister, I have handed over my salary card, no, it's not a salary card now, all my living expenses have been handed over, what are you still worried about?"

"The worst outcome is what you said, your sister gets pregnant and I abandon her, right? Then let me ask you, two years later, can you support your sister? Don't worry about the child." Xie Jiayuan asked. Qiao Zhenting sneered, "Don't even mention supporting my sister. Even if there are ten of them, I can still support them. Don't change the concept. Is this a question of whether you can support them?"

His family is not short of money. If things really don't work out, he can bring his sister to City Z. She doesn't have to meet acquaintances and doesn't have to worry about high prices. She can be well fed and well-drinked for the rest of her life, and her sister can live without worries and not have to worry about spending money. There is no problem with that at all.

But will my elder sister have to live alone for the rest of her life? Even if she has a burden, even if the burden is given to Xie Jiayuan, it will definitely be harder for a woman who has given birth to a child to marry than a virgin girl.

Xie Jiayuan rubbed his forehead: "Hey, I just ask you in the worst case scenario, can you give your sister a better life? If you can, does it matter if I am there or not? If not, can you be more promising at that time so that I dare not leave your sister?"

Qiao Zhenting curled his lips: "Wouldn't it be fine if you asked this earlier?"

Xie Jiayuan was speechless. Who knew you couldn't even figure this out? Speaking of which, Bai Lu isn't stupid. Father Qiao also looks quite smart. Why are you so... stupid?

"Then I'll choose the latter option. I'm more capable and I'll make sure you don't dare abandon my sister!" Qiao Zhenting clenched his fist and waved it at Xie Jiayuan threateningly: "Aren't you going to be a researcher in the future? Humph, if you dare to offend me, I'll make sure you can't get any sponsorship!"

Xie Jiayuan's mouth twitched: "Oh, I'm so scared! Okay, okay, hurry out. After your sister finishes washing the pot, we will take you for a walk around the community. You should figure out the surrounding terrain as soon as possible to avoid getting lost."

They are indeed siblings, neither of them can tell the directions. They always rely on buildings to remember the terrain and road markings to remember the route.

Qiao Zhenting responded, watching Xie Jiayuan rubbing his belly, pursed his lips, reached out to take something out of the drawer and stuffed it into his hand: "Here, if it hurts a lot, apply some medicine yourself, and don't let my sister see it, or she will scold me again."

Because when performing, you have to lie down immediately, and sometimes you can't avoid bumps and bruises, so he always has some blood-activating and blood-stasis-removing ointments. Xie Jiayuan didn't refuse, squeezed some and rubbed it on his stomach: "Don't worry, it will be fine in two days, your sister will definitely not see it."

"What are you two whispering about? Are you done?" Qiao Bailu knocked on the door outside: "Hurry up, let's go outside and see if Zhenting needs anything. Let's count and go to the supermarket later."

Qiao Zhenting responded quickly, glared at Xie Jiayuan, and hurried to open the door: "I'm done. It's not a private conversation. I just want to ask Brother Jiayuan if my admission to a second-tier university will have any impact on my future."

Qiao Bailu raised her eyebrows and looked at Xie Jiayuan. Xie Jiayuan coughed lightly, walked to the door, put his arm around Qiao Bailu and walked out: "Let's go. By the way, didn't you say a few days ago that you wanted to buy a small desk lamp? Take a look at it later? I want to buy one too, or buy three? Doesn't Zhenting have to read books in the future?"

"Well, then buy three of the same. Why do I smell an ointment? Are you injured?" Qiao Bailu asked doubtfully. Xie Jiayuan shook his head: "No, I'm always with you, wouldn't you know if you're injured? Maybe I accidentally got some on my hand when I took Zhenting's ointment just now. Smell it, is there any on your fingers?"

Xie Jiayuan calmly put his hand under Qiao Bailu's nose, and Qiao Bailu nodded: "It's above, no wonder, I always have a smell. Qiao Zhenting, come here, I have made a policy for you, you will start school soon, if you dare not do as I say, I will stop your living expenses, understand?"

"No way, what policy have you set for me?" Qiao Zhenting wailed instantly. Qiao Bailu curled her lips and said, "There is no room for refusal. First of all, you are not allowed to take jobs in your freshman year, no matter if it's a small role or an advertisement or anything else! You must study wholeheartedly. If you don't rank in the top ten in the final exam, your living allowance will be stopped."

Qiao Zhenting looked pitiful: "Is the first 100 okay?"

"No! Do you think this is a high school, with hundreds of people in the same grade?" Qiao Bailu glared at him and said, "Second rule, you can have a girlfriend, but once you decide, you must bring her to me immediately. You are not allowed to be unfaithful. If you want to date, you must aim to get married, okay?"

Today's stars still dare not announce their marriages, and even have to keep their love affairs secret. But in another ten years, stars will rely on affection and warmth to win popularity, and the better the man, the more popular he will be.

Everyone despises scumbags, and she would never allow her brother to become one.

"How can this be possible? We should have fun before getting married..." Qiao Zhenting was dissatisfied. Qiao Bailu slapped him on the back of the head: "Just tell me whether you will obey or not. If you dare not obey!"

Pulling his ear and twisting it hard, he said, "Third, you have to hand over all the cards in your name to me. Do you agree?"

His fingers were tugging at the ear without loosening. Qiao Zhenting bent his body and nodded repeatedly: "Promise, promise, please let go, it hurts so much."

Qiao Bailu nodded in satisfaction: "For now, these are the three. I'll talk about the rest when I remember them later."

"Female tyrant." Qiao Zhenting muttered in the back, but Qiao Bailu pretended not to hear: "You can't sing, otherwise I would let you participate in a talent show. This year's talent show is very popular, but it is estimated that it will only be the same for the first two or three times. After that, talent shows will be everywhere and they will not be worth much. So, you can only become famous through acting. If you want to go a long way in the acting field, solid skills are essential. You have to study hard, do you know?"

Qiao Zhenting nodded repeatedly. No matter what his elder sister said, nodding was always the right thing to do, so he would not get beaten. Speaking of which, he was always victorious in fights when he was a child. Why did he become less and less brave to disobey the female tyrant as he grew older?

It must be because the female tyrant is getting more and more violent! She pulls my ears, twists my soft flesh, pokes my head and slaps me at every turn. Isn't she too afraid to resist? Thinking of this, Qiao Zhenting looked at Xie Jiayuan with sympathy. They have been together for a short time, and the female tyrant probably hasn't shown her true character in front of Xie Jiayuan yet. Think about it, she has been pretending for more than ten years in front of her brother, so what are these five years? And they are not in the same class, the female tyrant can probably hide for another ten years.

Amitabha, I hope the female tyrant doesn’t scare people away by then.

Oh, it's really worrying to think about it. What if the person is scared away? Where can I find another brother-in-law who is strong enough to withstand beatings and falls? So, otherwise, it's better to be nice to Xie Jiayuan? At least he can persuade the female tyrant. If someone else were to change, the female tyrant might escalate.

Qiao Bailu reached out and poked him on the forehead: "Why are you daydreaming? Did you hear me talking to you?"

Qiao Zhenting nodded quickly: "I heard it, I heard it. To sum it up, the most important task at the moment is to study. If you don't rank in the top ten, you won't have living expenses. Don't think about anything else."

There are many beauties in the entertainment industry. When you get in, are you still worried about not being able to find a girlfriend? If you find one now, you may not be able to be together, and you will have to waste time. If you really don’t do well in the exam, you will suffer. So it’s better not to fall in love yet.

Qiao Bailu nodded in satisfaction and pointed to the surrounding roads for Qiao Zhenting to remember: "There are four gates in the community, two east gates, one west gate, one north gate, and no gate in the south."

After saying that, he thought for a while and pointed in a direction: "There is no door over there. Have you remembered? When you go to school in the future, you can go through the east gate, which is closer. Xie Jiayuan and I went through the west gate. The east gate is next to the vegetable market."

Qiao Zhenting stretched his head to look, then nodded: "Is there a bus stop?"

"Yes, there are three or four at the west gate and seven or eight at the east gate. There are more people there." Qiao Bailu said with a smile. This was the conclusion she came to after wandering around for several days. "Also, you still have to ride a bicycle. Your school is not small, so it is convenient to ride a bicycle. This year is your freshman year, so it is more convenient for you to live in the dormitory..."

As soon as he finished speaking, Qiao Zhenting glared at Xie Jiayuan. Xie Jiayuan hurriedly said, "You can come back on Saturday or Sunday if you want. You can also come back before the weekend, as long as you don't think it's a bother."

"It's no trouble, not at all." Qiao Zhenting said with a smile, and secretly gave Xie Jiayuan a blank look, "You cunning guy, why didn't you mention the matter of living in the school just now?"

The three of them walked around the community, stopping and starting. Just as they were about to go back, they heard Qiao Bailu's phone ring. They quickly took it out and saw that the caller was Zhou Mengyao. Qiao Bailu pressed the button to answer the call, and then she heard a chattering voice coming from the other end: "Bailu Bailu, you're famous again!"

Qiao Bailu's mouth twitched: "What happened again? It's vacation time now. Even if Zhao Xiaoqiong and the others want to do something, they can't do it, right?"

"It's not a bad thing, it's a good thing!" Zhou Mengyao laughed over there: "Go to our college forum and see that you have been named the most talented woman in our college, talented woman."

"What happened?" Qiao Bailu asked hurriedly, with some vague guesses in her mind: "Is it about the script competition?"

Everyone in their school knows about the competition. Even if they don’t submit an entry, they all know about it.

Zhou Mengyao laughed out loud: "Bingo! What a pity there is no reward~ You should go back and take a look. Although you didn't win the prize, a teacher has noticed your talent and praised you. Maybe if you work harder, the teacher will be willing to accept you as an apprentice. Hahahaha, you are the only one in our class. The first place is a graduate student, and you don't know her. You don't even know the top three. Oh, by the way, you are an Excellence Award winner. Although you didn't rank high, it's not bad to get an Excellence Award. You are only a freshman now. Maybe when you go to graduate school, you can also get the first place."

Qiao Bailu was embarrassed. Do you know how to speak? What do you mean by getting an excellent award? What do you mean by maybe? Can't you say for sure that when you become a graduate student, you will definitely get first place?

"Am I the first one to tell you the good news? Come on, treat me to a meal. Didn't you move out of the dormitory? I still don't know where you live. How about I come to visit you tomorrow? You treat me to a big meal! I have contributed a lot to the news. I am almost growing hair at home. My parents won't let me go out to play, but if I come to visit you, they will definitely agree. Tell me the address and I will go there tomorrow morning. Otherwise, how about I stay at your place for two days? I will come back after school starts?"

"No, I have guys here. My boyfriend and my brother are all here. It won't look good for you to come and stay. But you can come and play tomorrow. Do you know where Zizhu Community is? Take a bus to Xiangdihe and I'll pick you up."

"Okay, okay, then I'll go there early tomorrow morning. You don't have to pick me up. I'll drive directly to your community." Zhou Mengyao muttered, and Qiao Bailu hurriedly asked, "Do you have a driver's license?"

"Yes, I took the test right after I graduated from high school. By the way, didn't you say you wanted to take a driver's license test? When is the test? The driving school I went to before is pretty good. Do you want me to recommend one?"

"Yes, let's talk about it when you get here. It's getting late and I have to go back to see what's being said on the forum." Qiao Bailu said hurriedly, and Zhou Mengyao hung up the phone reluctantly.

"Is it the script competition?" Xie Jiayuan asked. Qiao Bailu nodded and said, "Mengyao said she won an Excellence Award. I don't know how many Excellence Awards there are. The first prize went to a senior from our school. I don't know where the rest are from. Let's go back and take a look."

Qiao Zhenting was very touched: "Sister, you said you would write a script for me, and you actually wrote it? You are so good to me. When I make a lot of money in the future, I will definitely treat you very, very well."

Qiao Bailu looked at him. Actually, I didn't write the script for you. I wanted to buy a house before the house price rose to a point where I couldn't afford it. However, let's just leave it as a misunderstanding, so that the naughty child won't be disobedient.

After returning home, Qiao Bailu quickly turned on the computer, and Xie Jiayuan and Qiao Zhenting followed behind to watch together.

There was only one first prize winner, a senior from Q University who was in her second year of graduate school. There were two second prize winners, one was a senior from B University and the other was a senior from Z University. There were three third prize winners, one was a senior from B University and the other was from S University and C University, all of whom were from key universities.

The point is, the lowest score among these award winners is from the senior year. Moreover, B University has always been better than Q University in literature, and Q University focuses more on science.

It was not unfair at all that Qiao Bailu didn't win a prize. The ideas of those senior schoolmates' scripts were far better than hers. There were also ten people who won the fourth and fifth prizes respectively. They didn't get any prize money, but they received certificates, a notebook and a pen.

Although the rewards of notebooks and pens are a bit outdated now, they are still quite high-end because they are printed with the school emblem and logo of Q University.

There were a total of thirty people who received the remaining Excellence Awards. Qiao Bailu was not at the top, but she was not at the bottom either, and was right in the middle.

To be honest, this result was a pleasant surprise to Qiao Bailu. She had never expected to win an award at the beginning. Now, not only did she win the Excellence Award, but she was also praised by a professor from her own school. Although it was only two or three times, and it might be because they were from the same school, it was enough to satisfy Qiao Bailu.

"Tell me, now that we have this reputation, will we be successful if we go find those directors?" Qiao Bailu turned around and asked. Xie Jiayuan rubbed her hair and didn't explicitly attack her: "Look, there are two Qing Dynasty masters in the Excellence Award."

In addition to Qiao Bailu, there is another one, whose ranking is slightly lower than Qiao Bailu's, with only two people between them.

"Oh, forget it. I knew it wasn't possible. Let's just wait until school starts, and then I'll start adapting my Ten Miles of Red Makeup." Qiao Bailu sighed. Just as she finished speaking, her cell phone rang again. This time it was Yao Lingling.

"I heard that you won a prize. With your level, you actually won a prize. Are the judges blind?" Yao Lingling started to mock. Qiao Zhenting frowned as he listened to her. He asked silently with his mouth: "Enemy?"

Qiao Bailu shook her head and smiled as she spoke to Yao Lingling: "Okay, I know you're here to congratulate me, so hurry up and say something nice. I'll treat you to a big meal tomorrow, and Mengyao is coming too, are you coming?"

"Who cares? It's as if no one can afford it." Yao Lingling snorted, paused, and added: "But it's a waste not to eat it. To be honest, those judges must be really blind. The one you wrote before, about the Republic of China, is terrible!"

Qiao Bailu burst out laughing, meaning that person shouldn't be in front of her? Zhou Mengyao can only listen to what she likes, while Yao Lingling's words should be listened to in the opposite way. These two people are really interesting.

Fortunately, she met me, lived two lives, had great patience, and was unwilling to argue with the little girl. Otherwise, with the two of them like this, they would definitely not be able to find friends.

For a little girl of the same age, who wants to be ridiculed every day? If she doesn't scold back, she is already a person with a good temper.

Chapter 45

Zhou Mengyao came early in the morning, and Yao Lingling arrived not late either. The two of them enthusiastically visited the house under the guidance of Qiao Bailu and watched Qiao Bailu's younger brother Qiao Zhenting.

The first one was just a side note, the last one is the most important. After reading it, Yao Lingling just nodded seriously: "She looks okay, but a little too young."

Zhou Mengyao smiled and gave a thumbs up: "You are so handsome, no wonder your sister always praises you, little brother, what grade are you in?"

The corners of Qiao Zhenting's mouth twitched: "Auntie, I'm going to be a freshman soon."

"Auntie?" Zhou Mengyao held her hands to her heart: "Am I that old? Little brother, how do you talk like that? Your sister speaks so beautifully, why don't you learn from her?"

"You don't speak very nicely either." Qiao Zhenting curled his lips. Qiao Bailu just brought out some fruit. Upon hearing this, she patted Qiao Zhenting on the back of his head and said, "Be more polite when speaking. You have to be courteous and generous to girls, okay?"

Qiao Zhenting shrugged, reached out and grabbed an apple, and sat down on the sofa: "Got it." Then he turned to look at Zhou Mengyao: "You can't call me little brother, you are only one year older than me, just call me by my name."

"Wow, just for a name, you call me auntie?" Zhou Mengyao was still very depressed. Qiao Zhenting smiled and raised his eyebrows: "You also said that it's just a name. Okay, okay, can I buy you an apple?"

Nodding reluctantly, Zhou Mengyao grabbed an apple and asked, "Which school did you get into?"

"Beijing Film Academy." Qiao Zhenting did not hide it. Yao Lingling was a little surprised: "Beijing Film Academy? Which department?"

"Acting Department. I can't sing and my dancing is just so-so, so I can only apply for the acting department." Qiao Zhenting said with a smile. Zhou Mengyao exclaimed: "A future big star? Do you want to sign an autograph for me first? When you become famous in the future, I can sell you for a high price."

"No, wait until I become famous and you'll have to pay a high price to buy it. For my sister's sake, I'll give you a discount." Qiao Zhenting said with a smile. Both of them are lively, so with them around, there's never any need to worry about a dull occasion.

Yao Lingling didn't like to talk much. Seeing Zhou Mengyao and Qiao Zhenting chatting and laughing, she sat next to Qiao Bailu and said, "Have you checked the competition information online? There's another person from our class participating in the competition. Did you see him?"

"No, I've read all the ones before the Excellence Award, and I didn't see anyone familiar." Qiao Bailu shook her head in confusion: "Who else participated? Oh, Mengyao said before that a teacher praised me. I was so happy at the time, but after reading it, I was depressed."

Zhou Mengyao was bickering with Qiao Zhenting while paying attention to this side. When she heard this, she immediately glared: "I'm telling the truth. Professor Li said that the students who won the Excellence Award are also very good, and their works are also worth learning. This is the original words. Am I wrong?"

Qiao Bailu looked at Yao Lingling and spread her hands - see, this counts as being praised by the teacher?

Yao Lingling couldn't help laughing: "Mengyao is not wrong."

"Look, look, I'm not wrong, am I? So, you should work harder and make achievements sooner. Professor Li might accept you as his apprentice." Zhou Mengyao said with a laugh. Qiao Bailu didn't bother with her and asked again, "You said there are people in our class participating in the competition?"

"Well, you must know this person. He has had a conflict with her." Yao Lingling said slowly. Qiao Bailu touched her chin and said, "He has had a conflict with her? Chu Weiwei or Zhao Xiaoqiong?"

"Not them. Their level is only enough to submit articles to magazines." Yao Lingling shook her head. Qiao Bailu frowned and thought for a while, then clapped her hands: "Huang Qiwen?"

"Correct answer, extra 10 points." Yao Lingling gestured with a fruit knife: "That's her, but she didn't win any prize. After the Excellence Award, isn't there a list of contestants? It is said that they were also ranked by rank, and Huang Qiwen was ranked first."

"It doesn't matter what place you rank, if you don't win a prize, you don't win a prize." Zhou Mengyao curled her lips in disdain. "Although there's no prize money for the Excellence Award, at least there's a certificate. This can add points when selecting scholarships in the future. Huang Qiwen definitely can't surpass Bai Lu this time. Last time she was gossiping about Bai Lu not being a good person or something. Let's see what excuses she has this time."

"What I mean is that Huang Qiwen didn't win the award, and she was just a little bit away from the Excellence Award, while Bai Lu won the award. She was jealous of Bai Lu to begin with, and now, I'm afraid she has even more bad intentions towards Bai Lu."

Yao Lingling explained helplessly, Zhou Mengyao waved her fist: "I'm afraid of her. Last time she spread gossip about Bai Lu, I wanted to beat her up, but Bai Lu insisted that there was no evidence and refused to expose it. If she dares to do bad things again this time, I will find someone to put her in a sack!"

Qiao Zhenting nodded vigorously: "Yes, I think Mengyao's idea is very good. Let's take advantage of her inattention, put a sack on her and beat her up. Beat her two or three times, and we won't be afraid that she won't obey!"

Xie Jiayuan, who had been sitting calmly, finally couldn't help it and glanced at Qiao Zhenting: "And then wait for her to sue you? Beating someone is against the law, and spreading gossip as long as there is no evidence, you don't have to worry about being arrested and eating a free meal."

Qiao Bailu nodded: "Yes, the reason why I didn't make a fuss last time was because I had no evidence. Huang Qiwen did start it, but no matter who heard it, they would think it was a joke. Unfortunately, Zhao Xiaoqiong, that idiot, was used as a weapon, and the joke became slander. Besides, compared with Huang Qiwen, my popularity in our class is a little bit worse."

Normally, Qiao Bailu always said that Yao Lingling was aloof and taciturn, but her own image in the class was not that good either. She was almost the same as Yao Lingling, except that she was taciturn.

During the military training, they were the only two in the class who were directly selected as team leaders. There was no competition, they were directly selected! Other classes trained for several days and then selected the best performers to be team leaders. This alone made many people dissatisfied, not only girls, but also boys. Who wouldn't want to show their excellent side?

Regardless of whether they are willing or not, this opportunity has been directly taken away. How can everyone be happy?

Although Yao Lingling didn't like to talk, at least she was often in class and acted with her roommates. But what about Qiao Bailu? Whenever she had time, she would go to find Xie Jiayuan. Except for class, she could hardly find him. Although she liked to talk, what could she say during the ten minutes between classes? Most of those ten minutes were taken up by Zhou Mengyao.

Not to mention Huang Qiwen, who has a sweet appearance, loves to talk and laugh, has good grades, has a good relationship with her roommates, and is very active in the class. She deserves the title of class flower, and is much more popular in the class than Qiao Bailu.

Who would believe Qiao Bailu if she said that such a beautiful woman slandered her without any evidence?

"Then what should we do? Just watch her act arrogantly? Wait for her to frame Bai Lu?" Zhou Mengyao said unhappily. Qiao Zhenting was also a little depressed: "Come to think of it, what happened last time? Why didn't anyone tell me?"

Qiao Zhenting was busy with the preliminary exam at that time, and Qiao Bailu would not bother him about this matter. Besides, it would be useless to tell him, as he could not help.

"It's like this..." Zhou Mengyao hurried over and narrated the whole story in a low voice. "In the end, we had no choice but to warn Zhao Xiaoqiong. Huang Qiwen was cunning. After we came to her house, she pretended to be very surprised and apologized repeatedly, saying that she was negligent. We couldn't even vent our anger. It was really abominable."

"This woman is so scary!" Qiao Zhenting said with his eyes wide open. Zhou Mengyao pointed at him and said, "Oh, your eyes are so big. I always thought your sister's eyes were big enough. Who knew that your eyes are as big as copper bells."

Qiao Zhenting was speechless: "Do you know how to speak? Can a copper bell be as beautiful as my eyes?"

"That's not the case." Zhou Mengyao said with a smile. Yao Lingling reached out and pinched her cheek: "Now let's talk about Huang Qiwen."

"I think it's useless no matter what we say now." Qiao Bailu shook her head: "We don't know what her next move will be, and we can't do anything about it. But I think that to deal with this kind of person, we only need one move."

Zhou Mengyao asked curiously, "What trick?"

"Why does she dislike me? Isn't it because I'm better than her?" Qiao Bailu said with a smile. Yao Lingling sneered, and Zhou Mengyao reached out to scratch her nose: "Shame on you."

"I'm telling the truth, why should I be embarrassed? Wasn't the last time she gossiped about me because of the scholarship?" Qiao Bailu curled her lips. It was just a coincidence. The situation was the same as this time. Qiao Bailu happened to occupy the last scholarship spot. Huang Qiwen was right behind Qiao Bailu, but she didn't get it.

Although both are failing, thirty-nine and fifty-nine are different. If Huang Qiwen was far from the mark, she wouldn't have been upset, but she was just a little short of the mark and missed the scholarship. How could she not be upset?

"So, from now on, I just need to be better than her, and I can make her die of anger." Qiao Bailu took the fruit knife from Yao Lingling's hand and stabbed herself with an apple. "Who knows, she might attack again because of anger. Once is a coincidence, twice is coincidence, but three times is unacceptable. Although we didn't say anything the first time, everyone knows that Huang Qiwen said the wrong thing when she was joking. Doesn't she claim to be a smart person? You can't use the excuse of saying the wrong thing again after using it once."

"Hey, this gossip is really too childish." Zhou Mengyao shook her head with regret: "It's just like a child playing house. It won't hurt you at all. I think she might use a big trick next time."

"Just let it go. I've already moved out. What can she do? Keep spreading gossip? I don't care about that." Qiao Bailu spread her hands indifferently and looked at her watch. "Okay, okay, it's a rare occasion for us to get together, so let's not keep talking about irrelevant people. Let's talk about what to eat for lunch. What do you like to eat?"

"I want to eat barbecue!" Zhou Mengyao instantly diverted her attention. Yao Lingling touched her chin and said, "How about hot pot? Eating hot pot and drinking beer in the summer is the most refreshing."

"I want to eat seafood!" Qiao Zhenting raised his hand. Their home is far from the sea and there is no seafood in such a small place, so they eat whatever is rare. Therefore, Qiao Zhenting is very interested in prawns and crabs.

Xie Jiayuan coughed lightly: "I heard that there is a very good vegetarian restaurant..."

"Wow, Xie Jiayuan, are you a man? Men should drink and eat meat, why eat vegetarian food!" Zhou Mengyao pinched her waist and stood up, and stepped on the sofa: "Qiao Bailu! You promised me yesterday that I can eat whatever I want today! It must be barbecue!"

The corner of Xie Jiayuan's mouth twitched, and he looked at Qiao Bailu - your friend is really... always so outspoken?

Qiao Bailu nodded helplessly. There was nothing she could do. She was just a kid. However, since she had already acknowledged this friend, she should teach her more in the future, lest she offend everyone. Yao Lingling was also very sharp-tongued, but at least she got along well with her classmates. For her, it would be enough if she had half the skill of Yao Lingling.

"Seafood, seafood!" Qiao Zhenting waved his arms and shouted. Yao Lingling simply stopped getting involved. She was not picky about food and was happy with anything she ate. It was okay to give way to the naughty child.

"Barbecue, we must have barbecue!" The others were silent, so Zhou Mengyao aimed her fire at Qiao Zhenting. Qiao Zhenting did not give in either: "You are fat to begin with, and you are getting fatter and fatter by eating barbecue. Be careful that you won't be able to get married in the future."

"You said I'm fat?" Zhou Mengyao's fighting spirit instantly increased: "I'll strangle you to death, sister, do you understand that I have a perfect body? Perfect, how can I be the same as you, a skeleton with a dry stick! A bamboo pole bean sprout!"

"Fatty, Fatty, you're the fattest!" Qiao Zhenting also stood up and ran around the sofa while continuing to tease her: "Look, Sister Lingling is taller and thinner than you. This is the perfect goddess figure. You can only be called a potato, or a small potato at that!"

After turning around twice, Zhou Mengyao took the sofa cushion as a weapon: "Are you still a man? Men should give in to women, don't you know? You are so mean, you will definitely not have a girlfriend in the future!"

Qiao Zhenting smiled evilly: "Whether I am a man or not has nothing to do with you, do you want to try it?"

Zhou Mengyao blushed and slammed the sofa cushion in her hand down hard, causing Qiao Zhenting to scream. Qiao Bailu didn't care and stroked her chin, recalling what delicious restaurants there were in the community.

After thinking for a long time, I finally remembered an idea: "Stop, let's go eat hot pot! I remember that the community issued a coupon two days ago. It's a newly opened hot pot restaurant. If you spend 300 yuan, you can get 50 yuan free."

Yao Lingling's lips curved up, and Zhou Mengyao rushed over: "The hot pot is too hot."

"It's okay, there's air conditioning. Besides, we can eat meat in hot pot, either lamb or beef." Qiao Bailu waved her hand and stood up to look for coupons: "Besides, eating barbecue is also hot, it's the same, it's better to eat hot pot."

Qiao Zhenting didn't have the courage to resist Qiao Bailu, but Xie Jiayuan never refuted, so everyone happily decided to go eat hotpot together.

Not to mention, the hot pot restaurant that just opened was doing very well. Qiao Bailu and her friends had to wait in line for a while before they got a table. They ordered a shabu-shabu hot pot and started choosing what they wanted to eat.

Xie Jiayuan ordered a pot of watermelon juice and a pot of green tea, and poured them for everyone. They handed in the menu, and the pot was brought over. Zhou Mengyao leaned over the table and sniffed hard: "It smells pretty good, I wonder how it tastes."

"It must be delicious. Look, so many people come to eat." Qiao Bailu stretched out her hand and pointed. Zhou Mengyao touched it. "If there are coupons, it's normal for everyone to come and eat, as long as they don't make it particularly unpalatable. Hey, let me tell you something. Isn't school starting in a few days? I was thinking, while school is starting, should we go out and have some fun? It's boring to be stuck at home all the time. I know a place that's very interesting. I'll invite you to go and play for a few days?"

"Where is it?" Qiao Zhenting asked as he picked up his chopsticks. Zhou Mengyao was quite proud: "There is a farm in the suburbs. The farmhouse is very interesting."

"Tsk, I thought it was something else. If it's a farm stay, then don't go. I'm not interested. My family is from the countryside, and no one is more familiar with the countryside than me. Isn't it just planting crops, making some farm dishes, or fishing or something like that?"

Qiao Zhenting curled his lips and said, "If you really want to experience it, when you have a holiday, let my sister take you to my house to play. I guarantee it will be much more interesting than the real farm."

"That's different." Zhou Mengyao was a little anxious. Yao Lingling thought for a moment and interrupted, "If you want to go out and play, I have a place to recommend. I heard there's a club over on the South Third Ring Road. Have you ever played CS?"

Everyone shook their heads. Yao Lingling looked surprised: "These days, are there still boys who have never played CS?"

"I haven't played it, but I've heard of it. Is it interesting?" Qiao Zhenting was quite interested, but Xie Jiayuan didn't show much expression.

"Very interesting. That club has real-person CS. Why don't we go play a few games?" Yao Lingling suggested with a smile. Qiao Bailu reached out and patted her: "I didn't expect you to like playing that."

"It's not that I like it..." Yao Lingling paused, looking a little disappointed: "I heard He Shengran say it, and I've always wanted to go and see it, but it's meaningless to go alone. If you want to go, we can go together."

"That's fine." Zhou Mengyao nodded quickly and raised her hand to indicate, "I agree."

Qiao Zhenting also quickly raised his hand: "I agree."

Qiao Bailu didn’t care, Xie Jiayuan pushed his glasses and said, “Can we go and have a look, eat first, and then set a time?”

The waiter pushed a cart over, which was filled with plates, and finally placed a basket on the table, which was filled with vegetables. Qiao Zhenting and Zhou Mengyao both liked to eat meat, so they were very quick and immediately poured the beef rolls in first.

Qiao Bailu prefers to eat various meatballs, fish balls, shrimp balls, and wide noodles. Xie Jiayuan leisurely picked a few of each and poured them into the pot.

After waiting for a while, he took one and tasted it, then nodded slightly: "It's quite fresh, not bad, you all should eat it quickly."

Zhou Mengyao had already picked up a piece of beef, dipped it in sesame sauce and stuffed it into her mouth: "Hey, it's really good, eat it quickly, or the beef will be overcooked."

Xie Jiayuan scooped out a few meatballs for Qiao Bailu and some beef for himself. Yao Lingling looked around and decided to do it herself. She liked mushrooms more, so she picked out some enoki mushrooms and threw them into the pot.

Qiao Zhenting took a few bites and turned to talk to Xie Jiayuan: "Brother Jiayuan, let me ask you, if there is poppy shell in this hot pot, can you taste it? Isn't there a rumor circulating on the Internet recently? It says that many illegal vendors mix a little poppy shell powder into the seasoning to make people addicted to it, so that they will come often in the future?"

"Do you think poppy shells are easy to buy?" Xie Jiayuan said slowly, "Poppy shells have no taste. Generally speaking, you can't taste it, unless you use the soup base to test it. However, this possibility is very small. The sale of poppy shells is also regulated by the state."

As he spoke, he frowned: "But if there are channels, then it's hard to say. So, in the final analysis, it's safer to eat out less."

Qiao Zhenting curled his lips: "It's the same whether I said it or not."

Qiao Bailu coughed lightly, "Be careful that the waiter kicks you two out. Don't mention such disgusting things while eating. Experts have said that poppy shells will not be addictive if you don't eat them frequently. Of course, eating them occasionally is not healthy, so, let's eat out less in the future. It's okay to eat them once in a while."

However, it did affect our appetite, and after eating more than half of it, several people didn't want to eat anymore. Qiao Bailu asked them to pack up the remaining food that had not been thrown into the pot. It would be delicious to add some to the noodles when cooking.

"If there really are poppy shells, I wonder if calling the police will be helpful." Qiao Zhenting brought up the old topic again. Xie Jiayuan shook his head: "It's hard to control. The law doesn't punish everyone. If 90% of the merchants do this, I guess all the country can do is to more strictly control the sale of poppy shells."

"Oh, food safety is a big problem." Qiao Bailu said, shaking her head. Now it is poppy shells, and in the future, there will be reports of Sudan red, poisonous bean sprouts, fake eggs, dead pigs, gutter oil, and so on. Ten years later, food problems will become more and more serious.

Food safety. By the way, should I write a novel about food safety? Well, a warning? A profit-seeking businessman makes all kinds of fakes...

"Hey, what are you thinking about?" Yao Lingling reached out and pulled her: "Did you hear me talking to you?"

"What did you say?" Qiao Bailu asked quickly. Yao Lingling repeated, "Are you free tomorrow? Let's go to the club. If we go, we'll go there early tomorrow morning. If not, let's set another time."

"Let's go! It's better to hurry up early than late. Where is the place? The South Third Ring Road is so big, we can't go around in a circle, right?" Qiao Bailu put aside the thoughts in her head and asked with a smile: "How to solve the problem of eating in one day? Are there any restaurants around? If it's a real-life CS, the place should be quite large. The clubs over there on the South Third Ring Road must be very expensive, right?"

"I don't know either. Let's ask around first?" Yao Lingling said. She hadn't thought about it carefully before, but now that Qiao Bailu mentioned it, she remembered it. The Third Ring Road is not like other places. The land price should not be cheap. In places like this, sometimes, you can't just have money to get in. You also need status.

He Shengran mentioned this place, can he enter? Then his identity...

Yao Lingling frowned, and quickly shook her head to get rid of that face. She took Qiao Bailu's arm and said, "I'll ask later and call you tonight. If ordinary people can get in, we'll go there early tomorrow morning. If not, let's see if there are other clubs we can go to and have fun before school starts."

Zhou Mengyao touched her chin and said, "What's the name of that club? I'll go back and ask my dad."

Yao Lingling was also from another place, and she certainly didn’t have as many connections as Zhou Mengyao, so she immediately said, “It’s called the Dream Club.”