Chapter 0732: So That's How It Is

In a sense, Zhu Yuchen was the kind of person who wasn't particularly famous, a mediocre third-tier star. Even in Zhao Fusheng's memory, his most notable role was probably a minor part in the drama *Struggle*, the name of which he couldn't even recall.

But perhaps because of this, the man had no negative news or gossip.

At least, in Zhao Fusheng's memory, he was so low-key that one almost forgot his existence.

So, despite being a rival in love, Zhao Fusheng didn't have a bad impression of Zhu Yuchen; relatively speaking, he was decent.

But Zhu Yuchen didn't know this. Now, whenever he looked at Zhao Fusheng, he always felt something was off.

At first, when they met at the Central Academy of Drama gate, Zhao Fusheng had fooled him into thinking he was Fan Baobao's brother. But in recent days, seeing the two together frequently, Zhu Yuchen had made inquiries and learned that Zhao Fusheng was actually Fan Baobao's boyfriend.

When he learned this, he felt terrible, as if struck by a thunderbolt.

But he wasn't a child anymore. After the initial rage, Zhu Yuchen calmed down.

Regardless, Fan Baobao wasn't his girlfriend. In other words, she could be with whomever she wanted; he had no right to interfere.

Moreover, although that guy had fooled him back then, his pursuit of Fan Baobao had never succeeded from the start.

Once he understood this, Zhu Yuchen felt relieved.

Seeing Zhao Fusheng alone today, he had approached on a whim to say hello, but unexpectedly, Zhao Fusheng seemed willing to chat further.

"What's the matter? Feeling defeated and embarrassed?" Zhao Fusheng glanced at the silent Zhu Yuchen and said with a smile.

Zhu Yuchen was startled, then helplessly shook his head: "No, but the way you talk is really annoying."

Zhao Fusheng waved his hand and patted him on the shoulder: "Come on, since you seem bored anyway, I'll treat you to a cold drink."

And so, somewhat bewildered, Zhu Yuchen was dragged by Zhao Fusheng to a cold drink shop.

"So, this is what you meant by treating me to a cold drink?"

Zhu Yuchen pointed helplessly at the glass of plain water in front of him and said to Zhao Fusheng.

Zhao Fusheng nodded: "I'm a bit short on cash lately. Bear with it; consider it a favor from me. I'll treat you properly when I have money."

Zhu Yuchen waved his hand helplessly, called the waiter, and ordered some sunflower seeds and such.

He had started playing minor roles in TV dramas, getting screen time with lines, and naturally earned some pay. To be honest, if not for the occasional commercial shoot, Fan Baobao wasn't even as well off as him.

"Thanks," Zhao Fusheng said without ceremony, grabbing a handful of seeds and cracking them open.

Zhu Yuchen's mouth twitched; he had nothing to say about Zhao Fusheng's overly familiar manner.

But as the saying goes, first time strangers, second time friends. This wasn't their first meeting, so they weren't that unfamiliar.

Or rather, Zhu Yuchen was curious why Zhao Fusheng had dragged him here to drink something. He didn't think Zhao Fusheng was the type to be so bored.

"If you have something to say, just say it," Zhu Yuchen spoke first after a moment of silence.

"Do you know Chen Sicheng?"

Zhao Fusheng smiled and asked Zhu Yuchen.

Since they were both acting students, though one was a junior and the other a sophomore, Zhao Fusheng didn't think they had no connection; it was just a matter of how close they were.

Sure enough, hearing Zhao Fusheng's question, Zhu Yuchen frowned, paused, and slowly said: "Chen Sicheng is not someone to mess with."

Not someone to mess with.

This assessment startled Zhao Fusheng, but then he laughed.

In his previous life, most of what he knew about Chen Sicheng came from after he became famous—things like the dispute over writing credits during *Beijing Love Story*, falling out with old friends, and later various messy news. Overall, his acting skills were mediocre, but he had some talent as a director.

Now, the three words "not someone to mess with" from Zhu Yuchen gave Zhao Fusheng a new perspective on him.

Generally speaking, someone who earns such a reputation in college is no simple person. At least in Zhao Fusheng's memory, only Qin Wentao had been described that way, but that was after Qin Wentao had made a name for himself at Future Advertising.

And Chen Sicheng, only a sophomore, had already earned this from Zhu Yuchen, a junior. It seemed this rival of his was not to be underestimated.

"Tell me, how is he not someone to mess with?" Zhao Fusheng thought for a moment and asked Zhu Yuchen.

Zhu Yuchen was taken aback, then laughed: "So, this is your reconnaissance?"

Zhao Fusheng shook his head: "It's not reconnaissance, because he's not really my enemy."

Zhu Yuchen could tell he wasn't joking but genuinely meant it. Thinking about it, Zhao Fusheng wasn't wrong, since he was now Fan Baobao's official boyfriend.

With a bitter smile, he began to tell Zhao Fusheng about Chen Sicheng's situation.

As it turned out, this future big director was already a notable figure on campus at the Central Academy of Drama. He enrolled in 1999, and the next year participated in the "First National College Original Song Competition" hosted by Xingwang, performing his original song "The Wind Chimes of Time." Just this semester, he took part in the "Unified Ice Black Tea Shining Star National College Student Singer Selection," again singing "The Wind Chimes of Time." He also shot an ad for "Unified Ice Black Tea" and sang its theme song "Make Youth Shine Brighter." Last month, he signed with Hana Records, and his first single, "Make Youth Shine Brighter," was custom-written for him by his senior, Brother Pants Wang, and debuted as the ad song for "Unified Ice Black Tea," quickly entering the top ten of major charts. It was also said that he had landed a role in the TV adaptation of Stendhal's novel *The Red and the Black*.

After listening to Zhu Yuchen's account, Zhao Fusheng's expression was strange—a mix of surprise and self-mockery.

"What's wrong?" Zhu Yuchen noticed Zhao Fusheng's odd look and asked curiously.

Zhao Fusheng shook his head: "Nothing, thank you."

Seeing this, Zhu Yuchen didn't press further. After all, they weren't close enough for heart-to-heart talks; since the other didn't want to say, he wouldn't ask.

After sitting a while longer, Zhu Yuchen had class in the afternoon, so he got up to leave.

Zhao Fusheng watched his back disappear from sight, shook his head helplessly, and muttered to himself: "Who would have thought I'd end up creating my own rival in love..."