Chapter 21: Fool, People Change

Su Ying’s eyes lingered momentarily before she masked her disdain with a sweet, practiced smile. "Of course," she said, her voice honeyed as she signed an autograph for a starry-eyed junior.

Now that she had signed with Tianxing Entertainment, this kind of adoration was becoming commonplace. Random passersby would stop her for an autograph or photo, treating her like a celebrity in the making.

After handing back the signed notebook, Su Ying turned to her companion, Li Yan. "Isn’t the student union president supposed to be here today?"

Li Yan, ever the gossip, adjusted her glasses with a dramatic flourish. "The president’s been busy lately. It’s not clear if he’ll show up." Her voice dropped, and her eyes turned dreamy. "But he’s so amazing! I heard he might make an appearance."

Despite being in the student union for over a year, neither Su Ying nor Li Yan had met the elusive president. He was a living legend on campus, a prominent figure everyone admired but few had actually seen. All communication from him came through his secretary, and his appearances were as rare as solar eclipses.

Still, Su Ying had seen his photo—shared eagerly by Li Yan, who treasured it like a sacred relic. And while Su Ying was no stranger to the glamorous faces of male stars, she had to admit the man in the picture was strikingly handsome.

---

Meanwhile, Xiao Han was tugging Gu Li toward the Arts Department interview room. As they entered, they heard a faint, nervous voice from a girl sitting opposite them.

"Hello, seniors. I... I’d like to join the Arts Department," she stammered, barely audible.

Gu Li’s eyes flicked toward her, and her lips curled into a faint, amused smile. The girl froze mid-sentence, her eyes widening in recognition.

What a small world.

This girl had once shamelessly pursued Su Zheng, Gu Li’s brother.

And judging by her reaction, she remembered Gu Li all too well.

Before the girl could regain her composure, a sudden commotion erupted at the doorway.

"Who’s that?" Xiao Han craned his neck to see.

"It’s the Student Union president!" someone whispered in awe.

Curious, Gu Li turned her head—and froze momentarily.

*Feng Tingyue.*

She blinked in surprise. The man walking in, radiating an air of authority, was none other than Feng Tingchen’s younger brother.

He was dressed simply, in a crisp white shirt and tailored trousers, yet there was an unmistakable charisma about him. Despite his youthful appearance, his commanding presence immediately drew everyone’s attention.

Feng Tingyue’s cold gaze swept over the room, lingering briefly on Gu Li before passing on as if she were a stranger.

Gu Li shrugged lightly, her expression unfazed.

*Drama king,* she thought, suppressing a smirk.

As expected, the entire room’s focus shifted to him—including Su Ying’s.

Her stepsister straightened in her seat, adopting a refined posture that screamed elegance and poise. It was clear she was trying to draw his attention, her doe-eyed gaze fixed on him like a hunter zeroing in on prey.

Xiao Han noticed too. He leaned over to Gu Li, poking her with his elbow. "Su Zheng, your stepsister really knows how to work her angles. Look at her making eyes at the president!"

"Heh." Gu Li rolled her eyes, her expression conveying: *You tell me.*

The Feng family practically controlled the entire entertainment industry in Country Z. For someone as opportunistic as Su Ying, snagging a connection like Feng Tingyue was the ultimate jackpot.

However, despite her efforts, Feng Tingyue barely spared her a glance. Su Ying’s smile faltered, and her hands clenched into fists on her lap, frustration flickering across her face as she bit her lip.

---

When the interviews were nearly over, Feng Tingyue suddenly stood.

The room buzzed with speculation.

"Is he going to talk to Su Ying?"

"They’d make such a perfect couple!"

But to everyone’s surprise, he didn’t walk toward Su Ying. Instead, he approached Gu Li.

His gaze was calm, unreadable, as he asked, "Do you have classes this afternoon?"

Gu Li raised an eyebrow. "Why?"

She leaned back in her chair, casually spreading the Student Union materials across the table, her posture exuding nonchalance.

“Want to have a game?” His tone was serious, yet casual, as though discussing something of utmost importance.

Gu Li blinked, then smirked. "Sure."

Without another word, he turned and walked away. But as he exited, Gu Li caught a fleeting look in his eyes—something fiery and intense, like restrained excitement.

Nobody else seemed to notice.

---

Xiao Han, however, was brimming with curiosity. "What was that about?" he asked, practically vibrating with excitement.

"Gaming, you idiot," Gu Li replied with a roll of her eyes.

"But you don’t even play games!" Xiao Han protested.

Gu Li reached out and flicked his forehead lightly. "Fool, people change."

With that cryptic remark, she strolled out of the room, leaving a flustered Xiao Han behind.

Meanwhile, Su Ying’s glare burned into Gu Li’s retreating back.

---

"Senior Su Ying," a bubbly voice chimed. A group of junior girls had gathered around her.

One of them, her eyes wide with admiration, asked, "Your brother Su Zheng seems close to Senior Feng! Is that true?"

Li Yan, ever eager to stir the pot, chimed in, "Yeah, Su Ying! You should invite your brother to join us for an outing. Maybe he can bring Senior Feng along!"

She adjusted her glasses dramatically, clearly imagining the scene.

Su Ying’s smile was tight, her frustration barely hidden behind her otherwise flawless facade.

(End of Chapter 21)

Chapters