After Being Bound to the Scummy Alpha System, I Became Famous Thanks to My Face Blindness - Chapter 15

After watching Tang Ling carry Fang Zhizi upstairs, Pu Xiaoyu and Cheng Qingyan turned around and walked into the dining hall.

It was peak mealtime, and the place was completely packed with no empty tables in sight.

Not far from the entrance sat Tan Shiyi, He Junnian, and Fu Xin. Spotting them, Pu Xiaoyu walked over with a pleasant smile. “Shiyi, would it be alright if we joined your table?”

Tan Shiyi’s eyes flicked past Pu Xiaoyu and landed on Cheng Qingyan behind her. She paused briefly, then smiled. “Of course, Teacher Pu. Please, have a seat.”

He Junnian asked curiously, “Hey, isn’t Tang Ling with you guys?”

Pu Xiaoyu replied, “You mean Tang Ling? Fang Zhizi twisted her ankle earlier and came to ask me for leave. Just so happened we ran into Tang Ling and Qingyan—Tang Ling offered to carry Fang Zhizi back to the dorm herself.”

Tan Shiyi’s expression darkened slightly. She lowered her gaze and took a calm sip of her porridge, her demeanor composed but clearly subdued.

Pu Xiaoyu smiled, changing the subject. “You three were in the same group for the last two performances, weren’t you? I’ve watched both—‘Peach Blossoms Crease’ and ‘Wildfire’ were excellent.”

He Junnian grinned. “That’s all thanks to Shiyi! We just follow her lead.”

Pu Xiaoyu glanced meaningfully at Tan Shiyi. “I’ve heard a lot about you, Shiyi. You’re a very talented young woman.”

Tan Shiyi smiled politely. “You flatter me, Teacher Pu.”

Then, in a tone that seemed casual but carried intent, Pu Xiaoyu asked, “Shiyi, do you have any plans tonight? If not, I’d like to invite you to my room to discuss some details about Summer Equation.”

Tan Shiyi didn’t think much of it and agreed readily. “Alright.”

Meanwhile, Tang Ling was completely unaware of what was happening downstairs. With her triple blessings of eight-pack abs, sculpted pecs, and incredible arm strength, she carried Fang Zhizi all the way up to the third floor without breaking a sweat.

Fang Zhizi lay quietly on her back, murmuring a barely audible, mosquito-like “Thank you, jiejie.”

At the door, Tang Ling stopped. “Where’s your room card?”

Fang Zhizi’s voice was tiny. “Jiejie, I can go in myself.”

Tang Ling assumed the girl didn’t want to trouble her and waved it off. “We’re already here, it’s no big deal. I’ll take you in.”

After some hesitation and soft mumbling, Fang Zhizi finally handed over her key card.

The moment Tang Ling opened the door, she froze.

It was hard to believe that after just one day, the room already looked like a pigsty. Plush dolls and clothes were strewn all over the bed, leaving no place to lie down. Suitcases lay open on the floor, surrounded by chip bags and yogurt containers—it was nearly impossible to find a spot to step.

Fang Zhizi lowered her head in embarrassment. “I’m sorry, jiejie.”

Tang Ling was speechless. “Kid, how old are you?”

“Fifteen,” Fang Zhizi whispered. “Just turned last month.”

Alright then—just a kid. Tang Ling sighed. “Sit here for now. I’ll clear the bed so you can lie down later.”

“Thank you, jiejie,” Fang Zhizi said softly.

Tang Ling was quick and efficient. Within minutes, she had neatly folded the clothes, tucked them into the wardrobe, and thrown away the trash littering the floor.

Fang Zhizi’s bright eyes followed Tang Ling’s every movement, full of wonder. “Jiejie, you’re the first person to tidy my room—other than my mom.”

Tang Ling raised an eyebrow. She hadn’t signed up to be anyone’s mom—she hadn’t even eaten lunch yet. “The bed’s ready. Come lie down. Can you walk?”

“I can,” Fang Zhizi answered, standing up. But after just two steps, she winced in pain and squatted down, trembling.

“Does it hurt a lot?” Tang Ling crouched, rolling up Fang Zhizi’s pant leg.

Sure enough, the side of her foot was swollen and red, the bulge looking rather alarming.

Fang Zhizi’s face went pale. “Jiejie, what should I do? It wasn’t this bad earlier.”

Seeing how frightened she was, Tang Ling comforted her. “Don’t worry. Sprains always swell like this. I’ll go downstairs to get some ice for you.”

Tears welled up in Fang Zhizi’s eyes as she nodded. “Okay, jiejie, please come back soon.”

Tang Ling sighed. What else could she do? Might as well see it through—she couldn’t just abandon the kid now.

By the time she finished taking care of Fang Zhizi, the lunch break was nearly over.

Fang Zhizi was still reluctant to see her go. “Tang Ling-jie, could you give me your contact info? I’d like to reach out to you in the future if I need help.”

Tang Ling thought to herself, Just don’t ask me to clean your room again, but still gave her a WeChat ID before making a quick escape.

As the sun dipped below the horizon and the moon rose above the willow branches, another day of training came to an end.

The trainees gradually returned to their dorms to rest.

Tan Shiyi went back to her room, organized her notes for the Summer Equation concept design, and then knocked on Pu Xiaoyu’s door.

A calm voice came from inside. “Please wait a moment.”

Soon, Pu Xiaoyu opened the door, smiling warmly. “Come in. I’ve been waiting for you.”

She was still dressed in the same pale lavender suit she’d worn during the day, but without her glasses, her features looked softer.

Tan Shiyi lowered her gaze slightly. “I’m sorry to have kept you waiting.”

Pu Xiaoyu closed the door like a gentleman and gestured for Tan Shiyi to take a seat by the desk before turning to pour tea for her.

“There’s no need to trouble yourself, Teacher Pu,” Tan Shiyi said quickly. “I won’t stay long.”

Pu Xiaoyu smiled. “No trouble at all. This is freshly picked pre-Qingming Longjing tea—it has a very clean, refreshing taste. You should try it.”

Tan Shiyi sat properly in the chair, taking in her surroundings with a discreet glance. The layout of Pu Xiaoyu’s room was nearly identical to hers—simple and elegant, decorated in a soft blue-and-white Mediterranean style—but it had an added desk and a laptop.

She handed over the neatly compiled papers in her hand. “Teacher Pu, this is the detailed plan I developed based on this morning’s discussion. Please have a look.”

Pu Xiaoyu accepted the A4 sheets—three or four pages densely packed with small characters outlining each person’s lyrics, expressions, movements, and stage positions. It was a comprehensive and thoughtful document.

Flipping through it briefly, Pu Xiaoyu nodded approvingly. “You really do live up to your reputation—a meticulous and diligent girl.”

Setting the papers on the desk, she took a sip of tea. “Actually, I called you here today for another reason.”

Tan Shiyi blinked. “Another reason?”

“If I remember correctly, you’re signed under Fangyu Entertainment, right?”

“Yes.”

“And Fangyu only sent you to participate in the Beidou Star Training Program, didn’t they?”

“Yes.”

“How do you feel about your time here? Any difference compared to when you were at your company?”

Tan Shiyi lifted her eyes slightly. “Teacher Pu, what exactly are you trying to say?”

“Don’t be nervous,” Pu Xiaoyu said with a light smile. “Just making conversation. Actually, our company’s executives think very highly of you. They’re interested in recruiting you to join us.”

Pu Xiaoyu’s agency, Laurel Crown Media, was a large entertainment company with many well-known artists under its wing. One of the Beidou Star Training Program mentors, Xu Xizhao, was also a Laurel Crown artist, and several of the show’s top-ranking trainees came from the same agency.

Tan Shiyi straightened her posture. “I’m sorry, but Fangyu Entertainment gave me my start. I have no plans to switch companies for now.”

“Don’t be so quick to decide.” Pu Xiaoyu took out a contract from the desk and handed it to her. “Why not take a look first? If you sign with Laurel Crown, we’ll cover all your penalty fees—no worries about breach of contract. And our profit-sharing terms are quite generous.”

But Tan Shiyi didn’t take the contract. Her tone remained polite yet firm. “I’m sorry, Teacher Pu. I truly have no intention of changing agencies. It’s not about the conditions.”

Pu Xiaoyu chuckled softly. “You turned me down so decisively—it’s almost embarrassing.”

Tan Shiyi returned the polite smile and stood up. “If there’s nothing else, I’ll take my leave for today. I’ll leave the design plan here—please review it when you have time.”

Pu Xiaoyu didn’t press further. “Alright. But if you change your mind, you can contact me anytime.”

“Thank you for your concern, Teacher Pu.”

Pu Xiaoyu walked her to the door and opened it.

“Goodnight, Teacher Pu. Please rest early.”

Leaning casually against the doorframe, Pu Xiaoyu smiled faintly. “Are you sure you won’t reconsider? Personally, I’d really like to have you at Laurel Crown—as my junior.”

Tan Shiyi’s smile remained composed. “Thank you for your confidence in me, Tecaher Pu.”

Pu Xiaoyu watched her walk back to her room and close the door. The gentle smile on her face slowly faded, replaced by a colder expression.

Returning to her desk, she picked up the design plan again, her fingers tapping lightly on the wood.

After a while, the corners of her lips curved upward.

“Tan Shiyi.”

“This little girl is quite interesting.”