radicalducati Chapter 32 Liu Haochun, Inexperienced in the World
Chapter 32 Liu Haochun, Inexperienced in the World
Time flies, and the National Day holiday has officially entered its 24-hour countdown.
Although this wasn't exactly bad news for an unemployed person like Lu Zhi Qiu, a holiday is still a holiday.
Anyone who has ever been human knows that people can find countless excuses for indulgence simply by using the word "vacation".
It's holiday time!
Treat yourself to a trip.
Treat yourself to a good meal.
Reward yourself...
In just seven days, Lu Zhi Qiu accomplished all three tasks.
I went to Chongqing to see my classmate Xiaotian; it was like a trip.
I accompanied my cousin to two dinners that concerned his future.
As for rewarding myself...
He accompanied the expert sister to practice swimming at home, and taught her two new fitness tips at night.
At this moment, Zhang Tiannuan was curled up in his arms, fast asleep, her warm cheek pressed against his chest, her breathing even and long.
How can teaching and imparting knowledge to such a beautiful girl not be considered a reward for oneself?
My thoughts returned to normal.
Lu Zhi Qiu is currently pondering an important matter.
At the dinner party a couple of days ago, through his cousin's introduction, he officially got to know director Liu Guonan.
This industry veteran, who was once Zhang Yimou's go-to assistant director, still possesses extraordinary connections and information about current trends even after starting his own business.
Amidst the clinking of glasses, Director Liu casually offered a suggestion:
The Imperial Advisor is currently secretly preparing a martial arts and political intrigue blockbuster. Once the holiday is over, a large-scale casting process will quietly begin, casting a wide net across the country.
The speaker may not have meant anything by it, but the listener definitely took it to heart.
Taking advantage of the situation, the uncle subtly encouraged his nephew, revealing his potential and ambition.
After the dinner, it did indeed provide Lu Zhi Qiu with a good opportunity to enhance his resume.
I temporarily served as a casting assistant for a few days in the casting team for "Shadow".
Of course, such good fortune as playing a role has nothing to do with Mr. Lu, who will be auditioning for "The Glory of Tang Dynasty" next month.
His job is to assist in organizing actor information, conducting preliminary screenings, and following up on some aspects of the audition process.
The cousin's intention was clear: to first make a good impression on Liu Guonan and even the circle behind him, so as to seek advancement.
As for Zhang Yimou's films, he has no expectations and little interest.
Even a powerful dragon can hardly suppress a local snake when the emperor is far away.
His experience living in the county town had already taught him:
Instead of scrambling to become an insignificant cog in a big director's machine, it's better to rely on your family's support and steadily move forward on a track you can control.
......
Two days later, at the Capital Dance Academy Affiliated High School.
Lu Zhi Qiu followed the casting team into the teaching building.
From the practice rooms on both sides of the corridor, faint groans from leg stretchers and the short, forceful tapping of the teacher could be heard.
Today, their group is in charge of the initial screening of candidates for the role of Princess Qingping. The leader is a capable short-haired female assistant director, Fu Lulu.
Out of respect for Liu Guonan, she was relatively polite to Lu Zhiqi.
"Today we're mainly looking at dance students; posture and expressive body language are key."
Fu Lulu spoke quickly, giving instructions to her subordinates as she walked.
"Keep your eyes peeled. Mark those that are particularly sharp and eye-catching."
After her young assistants left to carry out their orders, she turned to Lu Zhi Qiu, her tone softening somewhat:
"Xiao Lu, just follow along with me. This is also a way to learn across industries. Ask me anytime if you don't understand."
"Understood, Sister Lulu." Lu Zhiqi held the tablet she used for recording, her smile refreshing and her face innocent and harmless.
The small theater on the second floor was temporarily requisitioned as a preliminary selection site.
Behind the long table in front of the mirror, Fu Lulu sat in the center, with Lu Zhi Qiu sitting beside her.
The door opens, closes, and opens again.
One by one, girls dressed in tight-fitting training clothes entered, gave their names, and had their height measured.
Then, after a "start" sound, stretch, rotate, or perform a pre-set scene of joy or sorrow in the air.
Lu Zhi Qiu lowered his head and focused on marking up the score sheet.
Occasionally, when encountering someone with a particularly agile demeanor or movements, Fu Lulu would ask a few more questions, and he would jot down the key information in the electronic notes on his tablet.
He had only ever seen such a thing—deciding someone's life or death with a single stroke of the pen—with Yama and Light Yagami, and it was quite exhilarating.
The morning flew by in a highly efficient and repetitive rhythm.
......
Lunch break time.
The crew members can eat for free in the school cafeteria, or they can find their own meals.
The lingering teacher's spirit within Lu Zhi Qiu was quietly reawakened the moment he stepped into the school cafeteria.
He decided to stay and relive the youthful days of outsmarting the cafeteria ladies.
There weren't many people left in the cafeteria; only a few students sat in the distance.
Lu Zhi Qiu strolled past each window.
The standard setup for serving food is usually a team of two aunties, whose techniques are exactly the same as those in his memory of school cafeterias:
First, he generously scooped up a full spoonful, then his wrist instantly switched to Parkinson's mode, shaking off most of it. Finally, he placed the shrunken gift upside down on the plate, a kind smile still on his face: "Is that enough, kid?"
They were all pretty much the same until his gaze settled on window number 7.
There stood a young woman whose face was unfamiliar, standing next to a senior woman. Her movements were a little clumsy, and she had obviously not yet mastered the skill of shaking the ladle.
She's the one.
Lu Zhi Qiu was completely focused on the last remaining, glistening chicken leg behind the glass display window, unaware that someone was approaching from the side.
The two stepped forward almost simultaneously, their fingers pointing to the same square without prior arrangement.
"Auntie, one order of stir-fried pork, one order of broccoli, and one chicken leg."
"Little sister, one order of stir-fried pork, one order of broccoli, and one chicken leg."
The sounds overlapped.
The two of them paused at the same time and turned their heads to the side.
Their eyes met.
Lu Zhi Qiu saw a delicate face without makeup, a high ponytail neatly tied behind her head, clean features, clear eyes, and a hint of shy curiosity unique to girls her age.
Liu Haochun?
The name flashed through his mind, along with a vague impression of "Zhang Yimou's girl" and "One Second" in the future.
I never expected to see such a raw and immature version here.
"What a coincidence." Lu Zhi Qiu's lips curled up first.
"Ah... um, it is quite a coincidence." Liu Haochun smiled, his ears turning slightly red, and quickly turned around to hand over the plate.
Lu Zhi Qiu didn't say anything more.
A guy in his mid-twenties hitting on a minor in the school cafeteria? The security guard's military-style punches might be faster than the auntie's spoon.
At this moment, the experienced auntie scooped up nothing from the chicken leg plate with her large ladle, tapped the side of the bowl, and announced her final verdict:
"There's only one chicken leg left. Which one of you wants it?"
Lu Zhi Qiu suddenly realized that, as expected, experience matters, and even the newbie protection period couldn't withstand resource monopoly.
Liu Haochun waved his hand subconsciously, his voice soft and sweet: "Auntie, then I don't want it, let's change..."
"Give it to her," Lu Zhiqi said almost simultaneously.
The two exchanged another glance.
Liu Haochun blinked, seemingly taken aback by the sudden synchronization and the other party's prompt courtesy, and said politely:
"No, no, you eat it. I'll get something else."
Lu Zhi Qiu readily agreed, "Okay, thank you then."
Liu Haochun: "...?" Aren't you going to give way a little longer?
The experienced auntie swiftly and skillfully placed the chicken leg onto Lu Zhi Qiu's plate.
Liu Haochun stared at the chicken leg, his lips twitched slightly, but he ultimately said nothing and silently ordered another vegetarian dish.
As a naive young girl, she has gained a small taste of a facet of society today:
"It turns out that a round of humility can happen only once."
When she turned around with her plate, she found that the guy who had snatched the chicken leg was still standing there, not having left.
Liu Haochun paused, then looked up at him.
We met in a hurry just now, but now that we stand face to face, I can truly see you clearly.
The boy in front of her was much taller than her, with an upright posture and a clean and handsome face.
Especially the eyes, which are gentle and not very aggressive when looking at people, making it easy for people to let their guard down.
Moreover... to be fair, they did give way, although only once, but it seems there was nothing wrong with their manners.
The slight resentment she felt over the chicken leg vanished instantly, replaced by a sense of curiosity about this handsome stranger.
She asked softly, "Um... why haven't you sat down yet?"
"Since you've invited me so sincerely, let's join you." Lu Zhi Qiu chuckled, holding his tray and gesturing towards the spacious dining area.
invite?
Where did I invite him?
Liu Haochun froze on the spot, her pretty face filled with bewilderment and helplessness.
"Um, I didn't..."
She wasn't very good at handling these kinds of situations, especially when the other person didn't seem to have any ill intentions, just a bit... overly familiar?
Refusing might make me seem petty.
Ultimately, politeness rooted in good upbringing and curiosity about handsome men prevailed.
"...Okay," she replied softly.