Chapter 15

Later, Lin Ting demonstrated weaving, bead embroidery, and silk flower making to Chen Zhiyi, handling each craft with ease and creating remarkably lifelike pieces. In this era of rapid advancements in artificial intelligence, to possess such exquisite and skillful hands, Chen Zhiyi felt he had truly fallen for someone extraordinary, and that he had excellent taste!

Just thinking about it makes me smile.

Lin Ting lightly tapped Chen Zhiyi's head with her pen, frowning, "What are you secretly laughing at by yourself?"

Chen Zhiyi sat upright, rubbed his head, and said with a simple and honest expression, "No."

"Hurry up and finish today's exercises, I have something to show you."

"OK!"

After finishing her homework, Lin Ting took out a piece of paper from her bag and spread it in front of Chen Zhiyi.

"Art Exam Guide, what is this?" Chen Zhiyi was a little confused.

Lin Ting: "Know yourself and know your enemy, and you will win every battle. If you want your art exam to go smoothly, you must first know the art exam process. Here are some things to note about the art exam that I found online, as well as some of the better art exam tutoring institutions in Jinshi. You can choose one. Online, everyone says that professional tutoring is very important. It usually takes about half a year. The art exam usually starts in February or March after the Spring Festival, so the time is quite tight."

Chen Zhiyi carefully read the text while listening to Lin Ting's explanation.

"The art exam is divided into three stages. The first stage is registration, which is usually from November to December each year. Currently, art schools in China that offer performance majors recruit students independently. Before registration begins, they will publish the admission brochure on their official websites, so you need to pay attention. The second stage is after successful registration. You can get your art exam application certificate in January. The third stage is the exam stage. Performance art exams generally test your voice, stage presence, physical appearance, and acting skills. The exams are divided into four rounds and are completed in February and March. The final admission list is announced in April."

Lin Ting picked up his water glass, took a sip, and continued, "Currently, many performing arts schools have exam centers in Jinshi. You can apply to all of them. If the exam times clash, you'll have to choose. So, when the admission brochures for each school come out, you need to study them carefully. Don't apply to too many; you won't have enough energy. Moreover, the acceptance rate for these performing arts schools is 5%-7%, and for the performing arts department alone, it's even lower—less than 1%. If the college entrance exam is like ten thousand people crossing a single-plank bridge, then the art exam is like ten million or even a hundred million people. Without very thorough preparation, it's basically very difficult to pass."

Chen Zhiyi: "I had done my research beforehand and knew that the art exams were difficult, so I wanted to give it a shot. Even if I failed in the end, I would accept it and at least I wouldn't regret it."

"Good, that's courageous." Lin Ting turned the paper over. "These three art institutions are the ones I selected. They are all well-known performing arts training institutions in Jinshi."

“The first one, Yisheng, is large in scale and sends many candidates to the exam every year, but it adopts large class teaching, with dozens of people in a class for group teaching. This model is not suitable for someone like you who has no performance experience.”

"The second company, Dawn, has a high admission rate for the students it tutors, but it is located in the suburbs, which is far away and inconvenient to travel to and from."

"The third one is Rufeng, which is very close to your home in the Central Square. It's a bit small, but the acting teachers there used to be teachers at the Beijing Film Academy and have also acted in many films and TV series. They have a lot of experience in both acting and teaching, and they can provide one-on-one private lessons. The only downside is that the tuition is a bit expensive. The important thing is that the business hours are from 9 am to 9 pm, and they don't close on Saturdays and Sundays. This way, even when you're in your senior year of high school, you can still go to class in your spare time. That's Rufeng's advantage."

"Central Plaza? Is the bubble tea shop where you work at night located here?" Chen Zhiyi asked, somewhat surprised.

Lin Ting nodded. "Yes, it's here."

"Then I'll choose the third one." Chen Zhiyi said without any hesitation.

Chen Zhiyi knew that Lin Ting had a part-time job in the evening. When he took her to the bus stop, he found that she was not standing at the return bus stop. He then learned that she worked at a milk tea shop in Central Plaza from 6 pm to 9:30 pm. Central Plaza is 5 stops away from Xiangyi Zijun Community, a direct 20-minute ride. She took the same bus route as Lin Ting from school to his home.

Lin Ting's eyes widened in surprise. "So hasty? I only summarized the pros and cons from online comments. I haven't actually visited any of them, so the information isn't very accurate. It's best to visit each one in person, discuss and compare them in detail before making a decision."

Chen Zhiyi said decisively, "No, I'll choose this one. First of all, it's close to home, so it's safe to come back at night. Also, I like one-on-one private tutoring, so I can learn more thoroughly."

My secret wish is to spend more time with Lin Ting. After tutoring, we could go to Central Square together, then wait for her at her bubble tea shop after work, and finally take her back to school before going home myself. Of course, it would be best if Uncle Chen could pick her up and drop her off if she wanted, but if not, we could ride the bus together, and I could lend her my shoulder if she got tired along the way. Just thinking about it makes me happy!

Lin Ting: "But I heard personal trainers are very expensive. Do you have the money?"

Chen Zhiyi did some calculations, "I have a bank card with all the New Year's money I've received since I was a child. There's almost 500,000 yuan in it, which should be enough for my tuition!"

Lin Ting swallowed hard. Haha, 500,000 yuan, and that's just New Year's money. Some people can't earn that much money in their whole lives. She, a hardworking college student, is worrying about money for a rich young master. She's just meddling in other people's business!

"However, this matter probably can't be kept from Uncle Chen and Aunt Chen, so it's best to be honest with them."

Chen Zhiyi thought for a moment, "I know, I will explain to them that I was raised by them and they love me very much, so they will most likely support me."

"That's good!"

The next day, the two went to Rufeng and paid half a year's tuition. The teaching time was scheduled from 6 pm to 8 pm. They went every day during the summer vacation and three days a week after the start of the semester: Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday.

Uncle Chen found out but didn't stop him; he even promised to help keep it a secret from his parents. Uncle Chen knew that if his parents found out, they would definitely try everything to stop him. As the only son of the family and the child of a high-ranking official, he didn't have much say in many things. He couldn't have what he wanted, and he couldn't refuse what he didn't want.

Chen Zhiyi insisted on taking the bus to Central Square with Lin Ting. After her performance class, he would wait for her at the milk tea shop where she worked. After get off work, the two of them would take the bus back together. Chen Zhiyi would get off first, and Lin Ting would get off at the school.

The milk tea shop is called "Zhi Xia". It is a privately owned milk tea shop with a decent reputation in the central square. However, it is not as popular as well-known chains. Business is neither good nor bad, but it is enough to maintain operations. While many milk tea shops in the surrounding area are constantly being updated and replaced, it survives steadily by relying on its reputation and old fans.

The owner is a woman who grew up in a family that received compensation for land expropriation. She runs the business with a laid-back attitude, working at the shop from Monday to Friday. She's away on weekends or during summer and winter vacations, traveling with her children. Therefore, she needs a part-time worker during these times. The shop already has a long-term employee, a girl named Nana. Lin Ting has been working part-time at this milk tea shop since her freshman year of college, for over three years. The owner really likes Lin Ting. She has a cool, refined appearance, and fair skin. Although she wears a mask while working, it can't hide her beautiful features. She's tall and slender, with a graceful demeanor; she's elegant and poised, attracting the attention of passersby and adding to the shop's popularity. So, the owner usually pays her extra as a bonus.

Lin Ting originally wanted to decline the summer vacation offer, but her boss appealed to her emotions, leaving her with no choice but to agree. Considering she would be busy with school matters during the day, she discussed with her boss about having a recommended junior student work during the day, and then taking over from 6 pm to 9 pm when the shop closed. Her boss readily agreed, showing great trust in Lin Ting.

These past few days, the topic of conversation at the milk tea shop has been inseparable from Chen Zhiyi, who has been frequently seen there. Sure enough, handsome guys are always the center of attention wherever they go.

At 8:10 p.m., Chen Zhiyi appeared at the milk tea shop on time.

Nana nudged Lin Ting, who was washing utensils with her elbow, and asked, "Your little boyfriend is here?"

Lin Ting disliked this explanation and said with a serious expression, "I've told you several times, he's just one of my tutors, and he's still in high school."

Nana didn't care: "What's wrong with high school students? They've all grown up and know what they're supposed to know. Besides, he's so handsome, dressed in designer brands, and looks like he comes from a good family. He's rich and good-looking, not inferior to the boys in your school at all. Why don't you make a move?"

Lin Ting frowned, the more she talked, the more absurd it became, "Don't talk nonsense, she's still a high school student."

"You're too scared to make a move on a high school student? Why don't you introduce me to someone?"

Lin Ting glanced at her and said, "Get back to work."

Nana graduated from vocational high school. Before working at the bubble tea shop, she worked as a waitress and in the beauty and body care industry. She speaks with a rough, street-smart tone, but she is a very straightforward and honest person.

Chen Zhiyi walked to the backstage area and said in a gentle tone, "Sister, do you need my help?"

Lin Ting: "No need, you can sit in that empty seat over there. Actually, you can go back first, you don't need to wait for me, it's a waste of more than an hour."

"It's okay, I brought my study materials with me, so I can still study." After saying that, Chen Zhiyi sat down and picked up a book to read.

"That 'sister' you called made my whole body go weak," Nana joked.

"Keep your voice down."

Chen Zhiyi would steal glances at Lin Ting every now and then, and Nana caught him red-handed several times.

So Nana leaned close to Lin Ting's ear and whispered, "That little brat keeps glancing at you secretly and says there's nothing going on between you two."

Lin Ting turned to look at Chen Zhiyi, who was indeed looking at her. So she stuck out two fingers and poked her own eyes, then poked him, pointing at the tutoring books on his desk, and finally looked sternly at the glass door.

Although not a single word was spoken, the meaning was clear: if you don't study properly, you can go home.

Chen Zhiyi immediately lowered his head, picked up a pen, and began writing and drawing on the book.

Nana chuckled to herself, "My sister is so fierce!"

Lin Ting disliked ambiguity and wouldn't tolerate rumors about her being ambiguous with others. She said again in a heavy tone, "Nana, this is the last time I'm telling you this. He's just my tutor's student. Apart from a temporary teacher-student relationship, we have nothing else. Don't make jokes like this anymore. I really don't like it."

"Fine, fine! I won't say!" It was clear that Lin Tingzhen was angry.

Having spent so many years navigating the social world, Nana sometimes couldn't stand Lin Ting's serious demeanor; in her eyes, it was just pretentious pretense.

Chen Zhiyi overheard Lin Ting's words, especially the line that they were nothing more than temporary teacher and student. That really hit him where it hurt.

During the past few days, while waiting for her to get off work at the milk tea shop, Chen Zhiyi noticed that she was very popular with the opposite sex. Although she had a cool and aloof appearance, her eyes curved when she smiled, making her look very gentle and sweet. She had the typical first love look, and boys who bought milk tea from her would often try to add her on WeChat, but she always refused.

He figured she must have a lot of suitors at school. He had never asked about her relationship status. She didn't seem to have a boyfriend, but she might like someone. However, he couldn't bring himself to ask. What would be the point of asking? He couldn't do anything about it. What if he made it too obvious and scared her away? But this realization made Chen Zhiyi very uncomfortable.

Lin Ting finished get off work at 9 o'clock sharp, packed her things and walked to Chen Zhiyi's side, took out a cup of milk tea, "Here, I come here every day but I've never treated you to a cup, taro milk tea, the shop's signature drink."

Chen Zhiyi was a little surprised, and reached out to take it, saying, "Thank you!"

The two took the bus back together, and Chen Zhiyi got off first when they arrived at Xiangyi Zijun.

"Sister, I'm getting off the bus now. Send me a message when you get to school. See you tomorrow."

Lin Ting looked exhausted, but still managed a smile. "See you tomorrow!"

On the bus, Chen Zhiyi didn't open the milk tea until he got off. He then pulled out the straw, inserted it, and took a big gulp.

So sweet!

Actually, Chen Zhiyi doesn't like sweets because he finds them too sweet, and he also doesn't like taro because it's sticky and makes his stomach uncomfortable if he eats too much of it.

But he slowly and deliberately finished the cup of milk tea as he walked through the neighborhood.

The hazy moonlight, the gentle breeze, the fragrance of lotus flowers, the sweetness in my mouth—everything was so intoxicating!