Chapter 84: A Novice Sets Out!

In the days that followed, Jiang Lun spent most of his time immersed in the company’s recording studio. Not only did he have to record songs, but he also participated in and learned about arranging, producing, and some aspects of post-production.

In the blink of an eye, June arrived. The weather grew hotter and hotter. That afternoon, braving the scorching sun, Jiang Lun hurried to the Central Academy of Drama.

Following the address Jin Chanjuan had given him, he found the teaching building where the Peking Opera Department's office was located. As soon as he went upstairs, he spotted Jin Chanjuan waiting at the doorway of an office. He hurried over and greeted her politely, “Professor Jin! Sorry to keep you waiting!”

“It’s nothing! I haven’t been waiting long at all!” Jin Chanjuan smiled. “Let’s go! Admissions should be there already!”

“Alright!” Jiang Lun nodded, following Jin Chanjuan back down the stairs.

The campus was vast, and after walking for over ten minutes, they finally arrived at the admissions office. As soon as they entered, before seeing anyone, Jin Chanjuan called out cheerfully, “Is Teacher Lin here?”

“Yes!” came a middle-aged woman’s voice, and soon after, she emerged from the inner room. “Oh, Professor Jin! What brings you here?”

“I’m here to hand in an admissions notice!” Jin Chanjuan replied with a smile, handing over a brown envelope. “Our department is admitting another non-quota student. Please take care of it.”

Teacher Lin accepted the envelope and pulled out a stack of documents: Jin Chanjuan’s recommendation letter, the department’s review report, the student’s academic record, school registration materials, and more.

After a careful examination, Teacher Lin finally said, “Alright! Everything’s in order! I’ll process the registration right away!”

They waited for nearly an hour before Teacher Lin finished her work and handed several sheets to Jin Chanjuan, explaining, “This is the student record card—hand it to your teacher at the start of the term. This is the admission letter—you’ll need it for tuition payment.”

“Thank you, Teacher Lin! Sorry to have taken up so much of your time!” Jin Chanjuan said as she handed everything to Jiang Lun.

“Oh, it’s all part of my job!” Teacher Lin laughed. “Let’s go out for a spa sometime!”

“Sure! I’ll call you when I’m free!” After a few more pleasantries, Jiang Lun also offered his thanks and said goodbye, leaving the admissions office.

With everything sorted, as they stepped out of the office building, Jin Chanjuan said, “All done. You can head home now!”

“Thank you, Professor Jin!” Jiang Lun thanked her repeatedly. “Let’s invite Professor Wang out for dinner tonight!”

“No need! No need!”

Jin Chanjuan politely declined, then added, “On the 27th of this month, it’s Old Wang’s birthday. Come to our place—and bring Yingying with you!”

“Alright!” Jiang Lun thought to himself, Well, that’s another expense, but for Chen Yingying’s future, it’s all worth it!

Leaving the academy, Jiang Lun didn’t return to the company but went straight home.

During this period, Chen Yingying had become a complete homebody. With poor air quality outside, she practiced every morning, had lunch at noon, watched TV or played on the computer in the afternoon, and waited for Jiang Lun to come home for dinner in the evening before heading to bed.

As soon as he walked through the door, Jiang Lun said to Chen Yingying with a mysterious air, “Guess what I brought back for you?”

“What is it?” Chen Yingying replied nonchalantly. “Something tasty?”

These days, Jiang Lun often brought back all sorts of snacks, which made her feel as though she was gaining weight and forced her to work out more and watch her diet.

“Why is food all you ever think about?” Jiang Lun teased, flicking her nose, and with his other hand produced something from behind his back. “Look! What’s this?”

“What is it?”

Chen Yingying took the brown envelope, opened it, and was instantly stunned.

“Ah... the acceptance letter...” She hadn’t finished speaking before her eyes brimmed with tears.

She recalled the days of gloom after failing the art exam, the depression she felt upon returning home, and thought of all that Jiang Lun had done for her future studies since coming to Beijing again. She couldn’t hold back her tears.

“Hey, don’t cry! Isn’t this something to be happy about?” Jiang Lun was at a loss as he watched her. He quickly grabbed a tissue from the box on the table and wiped her tears away in a rush.

“I, I...” Chen Yingying put down the letter, looked up at Jiang Lun, and, with a pout, threw her arms around him.

“You...” Before Jiang Lun could finish, her moist lips sealed his words.

After a passionate kiss, they parted, yet the affection between them was so thick it couldn’t be dissolved. They gazed at each other in silence. In that moment, Chen Yingying, full of shyness, felt her heart unburdened, and this natural contrast revealed an irresistible charm.

Jiang Lun stared at her, feeling as though two forces wrestled within him. One was a blazing fire, urging him on; the other, reason, warning him to restrain himself.

But after all, he was young. Impulse quickly shattered reason, and in the next instant, he couldn’t help but scoop Chen Yingying into his arms and lay her down on the sofa.

“Hey! What are you doing...”

Seeing Jiang Lun move in, Chen Yingying seemed to realize what was coming next. Normally, she would have refused and run away, but today, for some reason, she didn’t. Instead, inexplicably, she blurted out, “Don’t look at me like that!”

“Why?” Jiang Lun lowered his head, nuzzling her cheek and ear.

Chen Yingying trembled all over. “I... anyway, I don’t want to...”

“It’s too late to say no now...”

No sooner had he spoken than Jiang Lun put his thoughts into action.

Neither wore much—Chen Yingying at home was dressed in just two light pieces, and though Jiang Lun had just come in from outside, he wore only a short-sleeved shirt and cropped pants.

Soon, passion flared...

... [Five thousand words omitted here; a side story will be written and posted elsewhere at a later date] ...

For a novice, everything was not only fresh but also clumsy. Combined, these two qualities naturally prolonged the time.

By the time this passionate battle drew to a close, it was already eight in the evening.

They emerged from the bathroom and, seeing the mess on the living room sofa and coffee table, Chen Yingying couldn’t help but complain, “Look at this mess. How am I supposed to clean the sofa cover tomorrow?”

“I’ll wash it! I’ll wash it!” Jiang Lun replied with a sheepish grin, “Come on, get dressed. Let’s go out and get something to eat!”

“Ah...” But as soon as Chen Yingying took a step, she froze, frowning in pain.

“What’s wrong?” Jiang Lun was startled and hurried to support her.

“You have to ask!” Chen Yingying blushed, “Help me back to the bedroom!”

“Oh...” Jiang Lun carefully lifted her in his arms and carried her into the bedroom.

No sooner had he settled her on the bed than Chen Yingying pulled the summer blanket tightly around herself and gave a direct order, “Go out and buy some food! I want pork trotter noodles and red date multigrain soy milk!”

“Yes, yes!” Jiang Lun grinned, thinking that after such good fortune, doing a little errand was the very least he could do.