Chapter 2: Disaster Strikes Out of Nowhere

In her previous life, Chu Luoxi had indeed used the incident as an excuse to take a leave of absence and skip class, only returning to her studies after the National Day holiday. Faced with ridicule and mockery from her classmates, her skin was thin as paper back then, and she had been so ashamed she wished she could vanish into thin air. From that moment on, she embarked on a journey of academic apathy, unable to properly attend her courses in her sophomore and junior years.

"Though I have a bit of a headache, it’s nothing serious," Chu Luoxi replied calmly. With more than twenty years of life experience added to her soul, what could there be about such a trivial matter that she couldn’t get over?

In her past life, it was precisely because she cared too much about her pride that the mockery grew ever bolder. She even became so vexed that she mistook her two roommates’ concern for ridicule, which only further alienated their already lukewarm relationship. In the end, after four years as roommates, they were less close than ordinary classmates.

"Luoxi, did you ever study acting before?" Zhu Xueshuang hesitated and asked.

Having been classmates for a year, and with only a little over thirty students in their acting class, everyone knew who had prior experience. Yet, Chu Luoxi had never mentioned anything about it.

"No, I didn’t," Chu Luoxi replied decisively. "Over the summer break, I joined a film crew and overheard the staff and actors chatting about these things. So, I found some books on the subject and practiced on my own. I never expected it would actually come in handy today."

After two decades of struggling in the entertainment industry in her previous life, she had mastered the art of lying with a straight face. Since these were harmless little lies, she didn’t see the need to confess that she had two decades of acting experience ingrained in her very bones. How could these introductory courses possibly stump her?

"You joined a crew during summer break? That’s amazing," Zhu Xueshuang exclaimed, a hint of envy in her voice.

The school had rules: freshmen in the acting department weren’t allowed to take outside jobs. The summer break marked the end of freshman year, and getting a foot in with a crew—even just as a gofer—was the ideal for many. But not everyone could land such an opportunity.

"It was just luck. And by the time I joined, the crew was already wrapping up. I only worked for half a month," Chu Luoxi fabricated details about some mysterious crew, wanting only to support the explanation she had just given.

"Then, could you tell me more about it?" Liu Yujia scooted a bit closer, as if sharing a secret. "Professor Yan’s classes are always so odd. He makes us do the strangest things and explains it all in such esoteric terms that I’m left completely bewildered—telling us not to think of ourselves as people, to act like a pig and really become a pig… It’s just too bizarre."

Chu Luoxi couldn’t help but laugh. It hadn’t seemed that funny at first, but Liu Yujia’s way of putting it made it oddly hilarious. On reflection, though, there was truth to it—an actor must become whatever they portray. Still, the way it was expressed was off-putting.

In her past life, she too had been displeased and found Professor Yan insufferable, which meant she learned nothing. Later, after acting in more productions and spending time on set, she realized how much she had missed. A proper education wasted, she was no better than a self-taught amateur, always learning on the fly and suffering for it, enduring scorn and hardship.

"Alright, I’ll tell you about it when I have time. But I don’t know if I’m right—it’s all just my own musings." Chu Luoxi didn’t refuse. Once you actually joined a crew and acted in a few plays, you would naturally come to understand these things. There was no need for her to keep it to herself.

"Heh, I’m sure it’ll be useful. Didn’t you leave Professor Yan speechless today?" Liu Yujia hadn’t expected Chu Luoxi to agree, and she was excited.

Zhu Xueshuang was also a little surprised. Although they shared a dorm, they weren’t particularly close. She hadn’t expected Chu Luoxi to agree so readily.

"Luoxi, didn’t you say you still have a headache? Go rest—we’ll bring you dinner," Zhu Xueshuang offered. She wasn’t one to take advantage of others, but she was eager to hear Chu Luoxi’s insights, so she decided to start with these small gestures.

"Thank you," Chu Luoxi hesitated for a moment but then accepted.

Having just woken up from the infirmary and then gone to class in a daze, she really wasn’t feeling well—her head was heavy, her legs light, and she felt a bit nauseous and tight-chested.

On her way back to the dormitory, Chu Luoxi deliberately avoided the sports field—what she couldn’t handle, she could at least avoid. No matter how she looked at it, this whole incident was bizarre, and caution was best.

But fate clearly wasn’t going to let her rest. Just as she was walking along, trying to be invisible, she suddenly overheard a stream of muttered curses—half real, half feigned—mixed with an exasperated sort of affection.

How long had it been since she’d encountered such open interactions? Chu Luoxi was suddenly curious. Unconsciously, she turned toward the voices, a hint of inquiry in her heart. After twenty years in the entertainment industry, she hardly remembered what this kind of feeling was like. Now, just hearing it warmed her heart.

"Chief Instructor…" she saw a young soldier standing before a young man, grinning ingratiatingly, his attitude that of a subordinate before a superior.

Yan Han’s face was dark as ink, his demeanor sharp and imposing. Without hesitation, he kicked the young soldier to the ground. "Idiot! You treat student military training like a holiday and go soft on me? How do you manage to hit someone with your belt by accident? Double your training when you get back."

After a few steps, Yan Han paused. "This matter ends here. If anything comes of it, I’ll take responsibility. But there won’t be a next time."

The chastised soldier, hearing this, broke into a broad smile, his eyes growing moist with gratitude. He scrambled up, saluted smartly, and shouted, "Yes, Chief Instructor!"

Watching the soldier scurry off, Yan Han sighed deeply and spat, a mixture of frustration and amusement in his expression.

But as he looked up, he saw Chu Luoxi staring at him in surprise from across the way. Realizing she had witnessed the whole scene, Yan Han’s heart skipped a beat and his face flushed crimson, all the composure and authority he’d shown moments before evaporating.

Awkwardly rubbing his nose, Yan Han felt as if his uniform were suddenly burning hot. Gritting his teeth, he stood at attention and saluted. "About what happened at noon, I’m sorry…" Since it was his soldier who had caused the incident, he naturally recognized Chu Luoxi and responded quickly.

For some reason, seeing his embarrassed and bashful expression, all the accumulated resentment Chu Luoxi had felt for a lifetime dissipated almost entirely. In fact, she had always admired soldiers, especially officers who stood up for their subordinates.

"It was that guy from earlier?" She was no longer angry after witnessing the earlier scene, but she couldn't help voicing a mild accusation, if only to vent a little.

"Yes, that was my subordinate," Yan Han explained, stepping forward to clarify. "I’m the chief instructor for this military training, so I’m also responsible for what happened. I told him to apologize to you this afternoon, but you weren’t in the infirmary."

Was it just her imagination, or did soldiers really have such a powerful, vigorous presence? The closer she got, the more obvious it felt.

"Apologize to me?" Chu Luoxi was doubtful. In her past life, she’d lain in the infirmary until the evening and no one had ever come to apologize. Could the butterfly of her rebirth really have flapped its wings so soon?

"Really," Yan Han assured her. "You can ask the infirmary staff. My man even asked for your class, but didn’t want to disturb your lessons, so he waited. Now, I’ll apologize on his behalf. I’m sorry. If you feel unwell, please go to the hospital. We’ll cover all expenses. Please forgive my subordinate’s momentary lapse."

Taking a good look at Yan Han, Chu Luoxi realized he was surprisingly young—yet he was the chief instructor? Judging by her past life’s experience, his family background must be extraordinary, and for someone with such innate pride to apologize for his soldier’s mistake, how could she remain angry? In fact, this apology seemed to untie a knot that had burdened her for an entire lifetime, leaving her feeling much lighter.

Besides, after everything she’d been through, she could see things differently now. Any lingering anger was really just the old resentment of having to go through this ordeal again. When she thought carefully, she was no longer that naive student. Many things, even bad ones, could be turned to her advantage—it was just a matter of how she handled them. In her previous life, she’d simply lacked the experience.

"Really, it’s fine now," Chu Luoxi said, composed. After more than twenty years, she could attest that there were no lasting effects, so she spoke with confidence.

"Are you sure you’re alright? Perhaps you should get checked at the hospital," Yan Han pressed, still worried.

"I’m really fine," Chu Luoxi assured him, utterly at ease.