Zu Cheng
It has been a week since I submitted my project film. Today, the results were finally announced. Although I expected it to rank well among first-year students.
But third place among all students, including seniors, was beyond what I had imagined.
I was worried when I learned it was for all in this division, not just first-year students. I thought it was a test to check our unpolished abilities, but now I understand it was also a test to measure our growth.
I was confident, as it's natural for the ordinary scene to get a spotlight. In the near future, it becomes one of the best trends.
Even so, the result caught me off guard.
I was the first rookie to compete with seniors for a top position.
However, the second rookie project among first-year students, the space one… I can't believe he pulled off that scene on such a low budget. It's impressive.
If I'm not careful, he'll overtake me.
It would be better if I could get along with him—that's what I thought as he approached me.
He scrutinized me before inquiring, "Are you... Zu Cheng?"
For some reason, I didn't like the tone. "Yes. Do you need something?"
He scoffed, "Don't get ahead of yourself just because you won once."
He stepped closer. "Don't you dare look down on me, XIAO WEI. Remember it."
"...Sure."
What exactly was that? We've never even met. When did I ever look down on him?
Is he some sort of overconfident guy who can't accept losing?
...Yeah. No.
Forget being friends, I don't even want to deal with him anymore.
He turned to leave, then paused. "…Still… that scene—you pulled it off well."
I thanked him out of habit but... wasn't he putting up a fight just now?
...This guy is making no sense. He… hates… me? Or not??
This thought lingered as I headed back.
As I thought, he haven't return yet…
Two days ago, when Yu Ming told me he'd been called in for a commercial audition, I doubted it. But now that I know it's R&Loves, the brand that climbed to the top of the fashion industry in just seven months. It's obviously a big opportunity.
I leaned against the kitchen counter, glancing at the clock again.
"We were supposed to cook together today…" I muttered under my breath, tying my apron a little tighter.
"He might be a little upset… it was cooking after all."
The apartment felt unusually quiet. No random shouts from his room, no random commentary about whatever script he was reading. Just the faint sound of oil heating in the pan.
Since I was alone anyway, I decided to cook for both of us.
"…He'll come back hungry and tired," I said, almost as justification, as I started chopping vegetables.
Half an hour later, the door suddenly clicked open just as I finished plating the dishes.
"You're back?" I called out, not turning immediately.
No response.
A second later—
"Why did you start without me?!"
"…It was just ramen," I said.
"That's not the point!" Yu Ming practically lunged at me from behind, grabbing my shoulders.
"What—?!" I nearly dropped the plate. "Are you trying to kill me?!"
"You cooked without me," he accused, narrowing his eyes like I'd committed something unforgivable.
"You're late," I replied flatly, finally turning to face him. "What did you expect? A welcome ceremony?"
"I said I'd be back!" he shot back.
"But I got hungry."
"...Uh… Well… um… I'm hungry too?"
Pfft… I shouldn't laugh but him being speechless on my comment is so funny… Uhh-haa!!
Anyway, we should just eat now.
I set the extra bowl in front of him, watching him settle down.
"So… how did it go? The audition?"
"It went... well...?"
I paused mid-bite.
"Dude… no. Are you serious? You don't even know how it went?"
"…You're serious?"
"I mean—they asked me to do three different scenes… and one with a kid actor. I don't even know what they were testing."
"Hold on…" I exhaled. "How did they react after?"
"They… took notes?"
"That's a good sign. They don't write things down for nothing."
"So I got it?"
"Maybe. It means you didn't mess up. Whether you get it depends on how the others did." I assured.
His eyes lit up slightly.
He leaned forward slightly, resting his chin on his hand as he watched me.
"So… enough about me," he said. "How was your day?"
I paused, lowering my chopsticks for a moment.
"…Results were announced today."
His posture straightened immediately. "Oh? And?"
I hesitated, not because I didn't want to say it, but because saying it out loud still felt unreal.
"Third place."
"…Third?" he repeated.
"Among all students. Not just first-years."
For a second, he just stared at me.
Then—
"THIRD?!" he nearly slammed the table. "Are you serious?!"
"Keep your voice down—"
"That's insane!" he cut in, eyes wide. "You competed with seniors, right? And still placed third?"
"…Yeah."
He leaned back, letting out a low whistle.
"Wow… I knew you were good, but this is on a different level."
I clicked my tongue lightly. "It's not that big of a deal."
"It is," he said flatly. "Don't downplay it."
I didn't respond.
Instead, I picked up my chopsticks again, pretending to focus on the food.
"…There was another rookie," I added after a moment. "His project ranked second among first-years."
"Oh?" Yu tilted his head.
I replied. "It was a space-themed project. Low budget, but he pulled off one particular scene really well."
"Sounds like strong competition."
"He is," I admitted. "If I'm not careful, he'll surpass me."
Yu Ming smirked slightly. "So? Make sure he doesn't."
"…I thought about getting along with him," I said, expression flattening. "That idea didn't last long."
"That bad?"
"He came up to me, picked a fight for no reason, then… complimented me before leaving."
Yu Ming blinked. "…What?"
"Exactly."
A short silence followed.
"…He likes you," Yu Ming said.
I nearly choked. "What kind of conclusion is that?!"
"I'm serious," he shrugged. "That's literally rivals-to-lovers behavior."
"No, it's not. That's just… Dude, it's not a drama."
"Mm. Or he's just bad at communicating," Yu Ming said, picking up his chopsticks again. "Either way, he's paying attention to you."
"…I don't need that kind of attention."
"Well," he replied calmly. "You got third. People are going to notice you whether you like it or not."
I frowned slightly.
He wasn't wrong.
"…Still," Yu Ming added after a beat, his tone softer this time, "you did well."
I glanced at him.
"…Thanks."
"But don't get overconfident. I know it won't happen; still remember it's only beginning. You have a long path ahead."
"Mm-hm."
He studied my face for a second, as if checking whether I actually meant it or not.
"So…" he began, tone shifting awkwardly, "this just came to mind, okay?"
I glanced at him. "…That already sounds suspicious."
"It's not!" he protested quickly. "What about those dumplings? I mean, I know last time was… a bit chaotic, but—"
"…Hm?" I cut in, narrowing my eyes slightly.
Of course I'll try again, but he skipped out last time, and now he's making requests?
Not like this.
I set my chopsticks down and leaned back.
"Well, apparently Mr. Yu Ming, the great chef, slacked off last time," I said coolly. "So unless I end up figuring everything out on my own…"
I let the sentence hang for a second before finishing, "…don't expect dumplings."
"…Hey, that's not fair," he frowned. "You always do this. I know you are teasing me…"
"Uh? Yu… seriously?" I shot back. "You're the one who skipped, and now you're getting annoyed too?"
"It wasn't my fault," he groaned. "I had sudden classes."
"…Right," I said flatly.
A short pause.
"…Fine. Tomorrow," I sighed. "But you're helping. No excuses."
"Promise!!" he said immediately.
"…Why do I feel like I just got scammed?" I muttered.
"You didn't," he replied, grinning.
I swear, I could practically see his fox tail wagging behind him.
…This guy really knows how to get his way.