Chapter 8: You're Not Youyou, Are You?

A delicious aroma of food wafted into the study.

Professors like Lu Ming, who spent all their time buried in books and academic research, probably weren’t much good in the kitchen. Lian Meng quietly opened the kitchen door and slipped in behind Lu Ming. He was clearly inexperienced—just chopping a carrot was a slow and awkward affair. Lian Meng shook her head at the sight, about to step in and rescue the poor carrot from its fate, when she noticed his movements gradually becoming swifter. Under the gleaming knife, the carrot was sliced into fine shreds with a practiced ease that could only come from years of household chores—her own mother, a seasoned homemaker, would be impressed, and even she herself didn’t have such skill.

“Professor, you can cook? Your girlfriend must be really happy,” Lian Meng exclaimed, amazed by his culinary prowess.

Handsome, erudite, and a good cook—any woman who married such a man must have saved the galaxy in a previous life.

“Go on out,” Lu Ming said, pausing in his chopping and turning to address her as she tried to help.

Was he annoyed because she’d mentioned his girlfriend? Maybe he’d just broken up with someone…

Lian Meng’s face cooled as she turned to leave. Behind her, the sound of the knife slicing through the carrot resumed—crisp and decisive.

Suddenly, something dawned on her, and she found herself rooted to the spot, unable to take another step. She glanced back to see Lu Ming wholly absorbed in his task, his expression intent and focused.

Was he worried that she might cut her hand? An odd feeling stirred in her heart. Was Professor Lu always this considerate to all his female students? Most likely he was the type to be warm to everyone.

After eating the bowl of Japanese tonkotsu ramen Lu Ming had cooked, Lian Meng managed to calm herself. While he washed the dishes, she sat at the table, elbows propped, chin in hands, pondering her next steps.

Her daughter’s identity was that of a senior at Binhai University, a prestigious 211 college in the city, majoring in business administration. According to Lu Ming, Tsinghua University was even considering recommending her for a master’s program.

She was smart—her former self had been a university student as well—but she’d graduated from Binhai University’s drama department and knew nothing about business management. Not a thing.

So what could she do now?

After much thought, she realized she could only fall back on her old profession: acting.

Show business was the field she knew best. Although twenty years had passed, her exceptional talent and previously accumulated experience, combined with the beautiful face her daughter had inherited from her, would surely be enough for her to get by.

But what should be the first step? Auditioning for a film?

The problem was, she had no connections—she’d lost touch with the directors and screenwriters she’d once known. Besides, in this life she was a complete novice. Technically, she wasn’t, but no one else knew that.

“Ugh, why is it so hard to survive in this world? Where am I supposed to find someone to let me shoot a commercial?” Lian Meng groaned irritably, collapsing onto the table.

Lu Ming walked over carrying two cups of warm milk.

“Thank you, Professor, but do you have any coffee?” Lian Meng’s previous body couldn’t tolerate milk—it always made her sick, so she never drank it.

Lu Ming was dressed in a deep blue sweatshirt, over which he wore a light gray printed cardigan, and loose plaid trousers. It was a casual but well-coordinated, Japanese-inspired ensemble. Unlike the meticulously styled side-part he wore during the day, his hair now fell naturally around his face, and he wore glasses. The effect was approachable—he looked like the boy next door.

Lu Ming pulled out a chair and sat across from her. “No coffee. You just mentioned shooting commercials—does that mean you want to be a star like your mother?”

“That’s right. I want to shoot commercials and make some money. Professor, I’m really broke right now. You wouldn’t know this, but Fan Chi and Qu Wuyan—though they pretend to treat me well in public—have always abused me.” Lian Meng took a big gulp of milk. “They’re nothing like what everyone sees!”

Lu Ming regarded Lian Meng with a deep, searching look for a full two minutes before finally saying, “You’re not Lian Youyou, are you?”