Chapter 3

Zheng Baozhu was stunned, her brain felt like it short-circuited for a few seconds.

It had been many years since she last saw Qu Zhi, but she recognized his face at first glance. During their school days, Qu Zhi was adored by many students because of his face. Wherever he went, there would be a crowd of students around him. Over the years, the youthful vigor he once had faded away, and he had changed as a person, but his face not only hadn't aged, it had gained some masculine charm, radiating even more deadly hormones.

The case was solved; it turned out that the handsome guy who was trending in the morning was indeed him. No wonder there was so much buzz about him.

However, Zheng Baozhu couldn't understand why Qu Zhi, who was engaged in scientific research work, had no signs of baldness at all.

...No, that's not the main point now.

"Qu Zhi??? You're back?"

A storm surged in Zheng Baozhu's heart. No wonder she had such a bad day, it turned out to be because Qu Zhi, this dog of a jinx, had returned!

Qu Zhi nodded indifferently and said in a flat tone, unexpectedly, "Isn't this Zheng Baozhu? Long time no see."

Zheng Baozhu: "..."

After so many years, Qu Zhi was still so hypocritical.

"You're not at all surprised, it seems," Zheng Baozhu sneered and looked at him, "What are you doing here?"

Even if Qu Zhi had returned to the country, he should have gone back to his own home. Why did he come to the hotel?

Qu Zhi replied, "Obviously, I'm here to check in."

Zheng Baozhu immediately responded without thinking, "The rooms are full. Find another hotel."

Qu Zhi smirked and snorted, "That's not what the receptionist said just now."

"You only said 'just now'. The world is ever-changing."

Qu Zhi glanced at her for a while, then took out his phone and made a call, "Hello, Aunt Su, it's me, Qu Zhi. I've arrived, but Zheng Baozhu said there are no rooms available, so I'll find another place to stay. Oh... Okay."

He handed the connected phone to Zheng Baozhu, "Aunt Su wants to talk to you."

Zheng Baozhu: "..."

That dog Qu Zhi! He hasn't changed at all over the years!

"Qu Zhi! Besides running to tattle to my mom, is there anything else you can do? When will you grow up?!"

Qu Zhi looked indifferent, as though he had become accustomed to this kind of scene.

Zheng Baozhu snatched the phone and turned away, "Mom..."

Before she could express her complaints, Su Mingxi had already started lecturing on the other end of the line, "Baozhu, I heard what you just yelled at Qu Zhi. When you were a child, I let it slide when you fought with others, but how can you still be like this when you're grown up? You're both adults..."

"Enough, Mom, enough," Zheng Baozhu interrupted in time, "I didn't answer the call to hear you say all this. I just want to ask, why is Qu Zhi at my hotel?"

Su Mingxi clicked her tongue twice, "What? You don't know yet? Is there any old classmate like you?"

"..."

Zheng Baozhu fell silent for a moment and asked, "What do you mean?"

Su Mingxi said, "Qu Zhi's workplace is right next to your hotel, in the Science and Technology Park. You know that place is far from the city, and it's inconvenient for him to commute to work, so I let him stay at your place for a while."

"...Shouldn't you have asked me, the boss, first?"

Su Mingxi said, "You haven't seen each other for so many years. I thought of giving you a surprise."

"...A surprise indeed."

"We're all old neighbors, and both of you grew up under my watch. Can I not help with this small favor? Besides, these two months happen to be the off-season, and if the rooms are empty, they're just empty."

"..."

Zheng Baozhu elegantly rolled her eyes. It was no wonder that Su Mingxi, the enthusiastic neighbor, was like this, "Even if they're empty, I won't let him stay."

"..."

Su Mingxi was momentarily speechless but then became more spirited, "Alright, then I'll pay for his room, okay?"

"It's not about the money..."

"What is it then? I really don't understand. You and Qu Zhi grew up together, and you can't even share a little space?"

"..."

There was no sharing, only animosity.

"Don't blame him either. Hasn't the High-End Talent Community over there already been completed? When he moves there, why would he stay with you instead of others?"

This statement piqued Zheng Baozhu's interest. The High-End Talent Community that Su Mingxi mentioned was a supporting facility of the Science and Technology Park and was built around the same time. It was about to open for sale. However, this community was incredibly exclusive, ordinary people couldn't afford to buy a place there.

Curiously, Zheng Baozhu asked, "Is he going to buy a house there? I heard one needs an invitation to buy a place there."

Su Mingxi chuckled, "And you think he doesn't have one?"

"Well..." It didn't seem surprising that he did.

"He's just staying with you temporarily until his house is ready. He just returned to the country, so you should at least fulfill the duties of a host, right?"

"...Fine, I understand," Zheng Baozhu let out a sigh of relief, but then another doubt arose, "But how did you know that he returned to the country?"

Su Mingxi said, "I saw it on his Moments."

"...What? You have access to his Moments?"

"Don't you?"

"..."

She didn't.

"Goodbye, Mom."

After ending the call, Zheng Baozhu pretended to be graceful as she handed the phone back to Qu Zhi, "Since my mom let you stay, then stay. But if you damage anything in the room, you'll have to compensate for it at the full price. Also, we don't provide meals here, so you'll have to pay for your own three meals a day."

"Understood," Qu Zhi took back his phone and insincerely said, "Thank you."

Zheng Baozhu chuckled and watched as he took the room key and carried his luggage upstairs.

After Qu Zhi left, Xiao Yu approached Zheng Baozhu with some gossip, "Miss Baozhu, I heard that Mr. Qu is your childhood sweetheart? He looks so handsome!"

"..."

Zheng Baozhu's eyebrows couldn't help but twitch. She didn't even know where to start with the complaints, "Xiao Yu, wake up a bit. Just because two people grew up together doesn't mean they're childhood sweethearts. They could also be sworn enemies."

"Huh, why?" Xiao Yu seemed a little confused. Did Miss Baozhu have some misunderstanding with Mr. Qu? Enmity?

Liang Huihui eagerly hurried over with small steps and joined in the gossip, "Miss Baozhu, Mr. Qu works at that newly established technology company!"

"Oh, the AI company that's trying to compete with you to take away your job?"

"No," Liang Huihui's tone had completely changed, her eyes sparkling as she talked about Qu Zhi, "I've asked Mr. Qu myself. They're mainly researching guide robots to assist the visually impaired. It's very meaningful!"

"Hmph!" Zheng Baozhu sneered disdainfully, "He's just doing things to gain fame and reputation. Don't let him fool you."

Liang Huihui and Xiao Yu glanced at each other, seemingly doubtful, "Miss Baozhu, is there some misunderstanding between you and Mr. Qu?"

"No misunderstanding," Zheng Baozhu looked at Liang Huihui, shook her head, and wrapped her arm around her shoulder, "My silly Liang Huihui, think about it. If they can develop guide robots, isn't making robots that can deliver food much simpler?"

"..."

Liang Huihui paused for a moment. It seemed to make sense.

"Don't be deceived just because he's good-looking," Zheng Baozhu said with emphasis, "He's hypocritical, pretentious, and self-righteous. He even has a bias against beautiful women!"

Xiao Yu listened with a bewildered expression, "But isn't he also very good-looking?"

"That's exactly why his mindset is problematic. From now on, stay away from him," Zheng Baozhu said, fearing that her delicate flowers in her hotel would be harmed by Qu Zhi. She emphasized, "Qu Zhi has only been here for a short while, and you've already gathered so much information about him?"

Xiao Yu replied, "Mr. Qu came earlier in the morning and left his luggage here before going to the company. He just came back to check-in."

"Oh..." Zheng Baozhu nodded, then went upstairs. She took a shower, had dinner delivered to her room, and sat on the sofa, looking at her phone.

The group chat she had joined earlier was now active, with people chatting inside.

Wang Jingyi: Today, I went for an audition for a drama production. Damn, the queue was mostly filled with guys. Has it become this difficult for girls to get in?

Guo Bin: Because auditions for girls are mostly held at night. 😏

Wang Jingyi: ??? Do you think you're funny?

Guo Bin: Isn't it? You girls know better about what you have and how you act, so why pretend?

Wang Jingyi: Alright, tell me, what do we have? 🙂

Guo Bin: How many extras in the Film and Television City are serious? Don't act all high and mighty here.

A smirk appeared on Zheng Baozhu's face. Are female extras in the Film and Television City not considered serious? Then what about the men who work as extras in the Film and Television City?

Zheng Baozhu: @Guo Bin, my friend, your sarcasm is overflowing through the screen. Times have changed. Even you men can audition at night! I see you know your way around. So why waste words in the group? Hurry up and prepare yourself for the audition.

As Zheng Baozhu spoke, Guo Bin completely exploded in the group chat, cursing out everyone, including the group owner.

Da Zhang: Guo Bin has been kicked out of the group. Please keep the conversation civilized and respect each other. 🙂

After the group admin intervened, everyone fell silent. Zheng Baozhu took a bite of her meal and received a system notification. It was a friend request from Wang Jingyi in the group.

Zheng Baozhu's slender fingertips tapped on the screen and accepted the request.

Wang Jingyi: Sister, thank you just now. 😁

Zheng Baozhu: Thanks for what? Striking down idiots is everyone's responsibility. 🐶

Wang Jingyi: Hahaha, you must be new here today. If you have any questions, feel free to ask me. In the Film and Television City, all kinds of people exist. Being an extra is relatively more dangerous, so be careful about your safety.

Zheng Baozhu: Okay, thank you, sister. 🫶

Wang Jingyi: You're welcome! Our group here is just a standby group for foreground extras opportunities. Ahead of us, there's the official Foreground Extras Opportunities group. They have the real slots available there. Those that were not filled will come down to us. Let's work hard together! 💪

This was the first time Zheng Baozhu had heard about this. She exclaimed, "So that's how it works!"

Wang Jingyi: Yes, my goal is to strive for the official Foreground Extras Opportunities group, then small roles, medium roles, big roles, and eventually supporting roles and leading roles!

Zheng Baozhu: Fighting! You'll definitely achieve it!

As the two of them were chatting, Zheng Baozhu was asked by the group admin to record a video. After she was done, she applied a facial mask and went to bed early.

The next day started with the same early morning routine. While doing her makeup, she received a call from her childhood friend, Cen Tongtong.

Zheng Baozhu pressed the speakerphone button and asked while filling in her eyebrows, "Tongtong, what's up?"

Cen Tongtong's gossipy voice came through the phone, "I heard that Qu Zhi has returned to the country? And he's staying at your place?"

Zheng Baozhu rolled her eyes, "You hardly ever leave the house, but you're surprisingly well-informed."

Cen Tongtong reminded her, "Baozhu, it's the era of 5G now. Even the dogs in the village are connected to the internet."

"..."

"How are you two? Haven't fought, have you?"

"...If you're only asking about that, I'll hang up."

"No, no," Cen Tongtong quickly changed the topic, "Didn't you go to the Film and Television City yesterday? How was it?"

"Don't even mention it," As she talked about it, Zheng Baozhu's anger resurfaced, "I had a fight with Sun Jing on the set, so I lost the opportunity to work as a foreground extra."

Cen Tongtong quickly digested this information, "So, Baozhu, you've fought with Sun Jing instead?"

"...Is that the main point? The main point is that I'm very angry!"

Cen Tongtong tried to console her, "In my opinion, why don't you invest some money and create your own role, bring resources to the production, and not rely on that suffocating atmosphere?"

"But wouldn't that make me a resource artist?" Zheng Baozhu looked serious, "I just cursed out Sun Jing, a resource artist yesterday. How can I become one myself? I want to earn a role based on my own abilities and become an actress beloved by the audience, like my aunt!"

"Okay, okay, don't get worked up. I support your dream!" Cen Tongtong hurriedly expressed her support, "So, are you still going today?"

Zheng Baozhu replied, "No, I have an interview in the morning."

"What?" Cen Tongtong exclaimed in surprise, "You were at the Film and Television City for just one day, and they're already interviewing you?"

Zheng Baozhu finished her eyebrows, looked at herself in the mirror, and said, "It's not an interview as the celebrity Zheng Baozhu, but as the entrepreneur Zheng Baozhu."

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