Chapter Sixty: Shen Tingxiao, You've Had a Car Accident

Leaving Chen Li utterly stunned behind her, Jiang Yunzhu cradled her phone as she ascended the stairs. She switched on her computer, transferred the footage she had shot, and began editing the short film. The filming had not taken long, and the editing process was not complicated either.

After an entire night spent working, Jiang Yunzhu finally completed the final cut. She watched it over and over, and once she was certain there were no major issues, she sent it to her teacher. The reply came swiftly: "Jiang, I have received your short film. Once I have reviewed it, I will get back to you as soon as possible."

Having finished everything, Jiang Yunzhu collapsed into sleep. She slept until nearly dusk, and upon waking, instinctively reached for her phone. She unlocked it—no new messages.

Very well.

Shen Tingxiao had completely ignored her.

Feeling somewhat agitated, Jiang Yunzhu sat up, poking at her phone screen. Truly, he was all business now! He’d been so ambiguous before. She had thought...

Jiang Yunzhu grabbed a handful of her hair, jumped out of bed, washed her face, brushed her teeth, and went downstairs for dinner. At this hour, Chen Li and Jiang Lu were still busy at work and hadn't come home. The servants, aware of Jiang Yunzhu’s work commitments, dared not disturb her and had prepared her dinner in advance.

Eating as she scrolled through the latest local news, Jiang Yunzhu’s attention was suddenly caught by a headline: "Yesterday morning, a car accident occurred on XX Street in X City. The car destroyed was a limited-edition Cayenne..." The photo had not blurred out the license plate.

Jiang Yunzhu immediately recognized it as Shen Tingxiao’s car. She checked the timestamp and confirmed that the accident had happened before she set out—Shen Tingxiao had been in a car crash.

Her anger forgotten, Jiang Yunzhu dialed Shen Tingxiao immediately. The phone rang a few times before it was answered.

"You were in a car accident?" Jiang Yunzhu asked bluntly.

Shen Tingxiao’s voice was cool and clear: "Just a minor scrape, nothing serious."

Jiang Yunzhu frowned, her tone sharp: "A scrape? I saw the photos—it looked brutal. How could you possibly get away with just a scratch?"

Before Shen Tingxiao could reply, she continued, "Why didn’t you tell me sooner?"

Had she known, she wouldn’t have rushed back.

"Would it have helped?" Shen Tingxiao’s tone carried a hint of hidden grievance.

Jiang Yunzhu paused for a moment. "I could have postponed my schedule and gone to the hospital to see you."

"So considerate?" Shen Tingxiao’s voice was teasing. "Would you prepare hospital meals for me?"

"Of course," Jiang Yunzhu replied. "If you need it."

This time, Shen Tingxiao fell silent. After a moment, he said, "I’ll be discharged tomorrow. It’s really not a big deal."

Jiang Yunzhu finally relaxed. "That’s good."

...

After dinner, Jiang Yunzhu checked her email and saw that Miller had already replied. She moved the mouse toward the message, hesitating for a moment before clicking. Despite all these years, Jiang Yunzhu still believed in her abilities. She possessed a unique talent for directing, and if she committed herself, she was sure to achieve something remarkable.

But even the most confident person would feel a bit tense at a moment like this. After all, it had been years since she won an award, and she had only just returned, still unfamiliar with some of the unwritten rules of the industry. If she were to be turned away from campus because of this, it would be a real pity.

Taking a deep breath, Jiang Yunzhu forced herself to calm down, then clicked the mouse with determination, holding her breath.

Reply: Photography Work by Jiang Yunzhu.

Hello, Jiang Yunzhu. I have received your video piece and reviewed it carefully. Your work is astonishing, and I am delighted to grant you admission. As your future mentor, I look forward to seeing your performance.

Also: There will be a gathering for new students tomorrow evening. I hope you can attend.

She was accepted!

Jiang Yunzhu’s eyes widened slightly. Clenching her fists, she made a gesture of encouragement. She looked over the location of the gathering—it was at a restaurant near her home.

Not troublesome at all.

Now that she had been admitted, Jiang Yunzhu certainly wouldn’t miss the first student gathering.

That night she went to bed early. The next morning, she packed her things simply and headed to X University. By the time she finished the registration procedures, it was already afternoon.

The senior student who greeted her asked, "Will you be staying in the dorm?"

"No need," Jiang Yunzhu replied with a smile. "My home is nearby, so it's convenient for me to commute."

"Alright then." The senior grinned. "I remember your mentor, Miller—he’s arranged a dinner for your department tonight. Make sure you go."

"I will," Jiang Yunzhu replied obediently.

The senior, with a mischievous personality, reached out and pinched Jiang Yunzhu’s cheek. "The new junior is so sweet."

Jiang Yunzhu rubbed her cheek in embarrassment.

She wandered around the campus to familiarize herself, visited the cafeteria, and by the time she left, it was time for the dinner.

Jiang Yunzhu went to the parking lot, found her car, and drove to the restaurant. She arrived early, gave her name, and was led by a waiter to a private room.

Inside, only a small elderly man sat at the head of the table.

Jiang Yunzhu hesitated, "Are you Professor Miller?"

"Just call me Little Miller," Miller stood up, approached warmly, and shook her hand. "You’re the first to arrive. Others will be here soon. Take a look at the menu—order whatever you like."

Jiang Yunzhu sat beside him and symbolically ordered a dish. "Let’s wait for the others to arrive before ordering the rest."

"Good," Miller said with a smile. "You’re even prettier than I expected."

His gaze made Jiang Yunzhu slightly uncomfortable. She was about to make an excuse to step outside when the door to the private room swung open.

A cheerful, sunny mixed-race boy walked in wearing a baseball jacket. "Hey, Little Miller, I’m here!"

From his demeanor, it was clear he was already familiar with Miller.

The boy hugged Miller, then looked at Jiang Yunzhu. His deep blue eyes lit up instantly, and he wrapped an arm around Miller. "Little Miller, who is this beauty?"

Before Miller could answer, the boy immediately let go and approached Jiang Yunzhu. "Little Miller, this beauty has a real Oriental charm." He tried to hug Jiang Yunzhu. "Little beauty, can I pursue you?"

Even after years away, returning to this land, Jiang Yunzhu still found the local people’s excessive enthusiasm a bit overwhelming.

She quickly stepped back, making a gesture of refusal. "Sorry, I have a boyfriend, and we’re planning to get married in a few months."

The boy could only shrug. "Alright then."