37: Chapter 37 Returning to Alma Mater

The announcement that "diamond lover" was scheduled to air on CCTV and Tianxing Live instantly exploded across the internet, with fans' enthusiasm in the comment sections nearly overflowing the screens:

"Yang Mi is stunningly beautiful! Her looks are still at their peak!"

"Bai Fengjiu's scenes are absolutely killer! The e-sports goddess has such presence in a TV drama too!"

"Xiao Xue is the newly crowned goddess for real! The ceiling for looks among tianxing generation endorsers!"

"Oh my god, Deng Chao and Hu Ge are actually acting in the same TV series! Didn't they both move into the film industry?"

"This cast is literally god-tier, right? Three beauties and two male gods, who can resist that!"

In 2012, Yang Mi was at the peak of her popularity; Bai Fengjiu had amassed countless fans with her status as the e-sports goddess from "League of Heroes"; Xiao Xue had just skyrocketed in popularity after becoming the tianxing generation endorser—all three were top-tier in looks.

Deng Chao and Hu Ge were even more established powerhouses in the film and television industry. Usually, getting either one to star in a TV drama was difficult, but this time they both joined the project, sending fans into a frenzy of joy.

But with many fans came inevitable disputes over ranking. The loudest arguments were between Deng Chao's and Hu Ge's fans, each fiercely claiming their idol was the male lead, refusing to back down, amusing even casual onlookers.

"Stop arguing, stop arguing. There's no dispute about the female lead being Yang Mi. The second and third female leads are both newcomers, so it's just the two male gods left to fight over."

"I bet fifty cents Hu Ge is the male lead and Deng Chao is the second male lead. After all, Hu Ge's period dramas are hotter!"

"Deng Chao's acting is more nuanced, he's definitely the male lead!"

But when the promotional trailer was released, all the fans were dumbfounded. In the opening credits, the slot for the male lead clearly stated:

Chen Mo

Deng Chao and Hu Ge were both listed as co-leads.

"Chen Mo? Who's that? Snatching the male lead spot from our idol?"

"Why does that name sound so familiar... Chairman Chen from Tianxing Technology?!"

Everyone took another look at the male lead's face in the trailer, and sure enough, it was that Chen Mo—the one who stood up to Apple and founded a tech empire at 22!

The fans' arguments instantly came to a screeching halt, and the comment section's tone abruptly shifted:

"Hahaha, I'm outta here! Who dares to compete with this male lead!"

"Chairman Chen's status is off the charts. Who in the entertainment industry can compare?"

"Forget the fans, even Deng Chao and Hu Ge themselves probably have to call him 'Chairman Chen'!"

"Chairman Chen's looks are too overpowering. Even handsomer than the two male gods, and his aura is just perfect!"

No one knew that Chen Mo himself was stunned when he saw the trailer. He had originally just made a cameo for fun, but the director, Zhang Qiang, insisted on filming more scenes with him, saying his acting was too good to cut.

As they kept editing, his scenes ended up exceeding the originally planned male lead's. Zhang Qiang simply went all the way and officially set him as the male lead. Worried Chen Mo might be upset, he only breathed a sigh of relief after Chen Mo's identity was publicly revealed.

He figured a big shot like him wouldn't fuss over such a small matter.

On the day "diamond lover" premiered, it immediately set new viewership records. The audience numbers on both CCTV and Tianxing Live exploded, even overshadowing the buzz around National Day holiday movies.

Even netizens who didn't follow celebrities were drawn in to see what the fuss was about, only to become instant fans of Chen Mo at first glance:

"When Deng Chao said Chairman Chen acted better than professional actors, I thought he was just buttering him up, but it turns out it's true!"

"Hu Ge also said Chairman Chen's acting was explosive. They were both telling the truth!"

"With these looks + this acting + his real-life CEO status, who wouldn't love him!"

"He built a tech empire from scratch, is handsome, and can act too. What kind of blessed life is this!"

"Crying with envy. Chairman Chen's life is like he's playing with cheats, yet you can't even feel jealous, he's just too outstanding!"

Once the National Day holiday ended, Chen Mo returned to Shanghai with Nalan Ruoshui after their seaside vacation.

Before he could even arrange to meet up with Yang Mi, Bai Fengjiu, and the others, his phone rang. It was a personal invitation to the alumni association from the president of Fudan University in Shanghai.

Chen Mo couldn't refuse this invitation. During university, the school had taken special care of him, never missing an opportunity for work-study programs or scholarships, all because he was top of his class and willing to work hard.

In his previous life, he only received an alumni association invitation after becoming a technical director. Back then, he could only sit in the audience, watching various alumni big shots give speeches, filled with nothing but admiration.

This time, however, he was the first person the school invited. The president even specifically mentioned that they would only dare to invite other alumni after confirming his attendance.

With a hotshot like him anchoring the event, it would be easier to invite other industry heavyweights.

Seven days later, on the day of the alumni association, Chen Mo went to his alma mater with Wu Dongju.

Wu Dongju was his university classmate, the Vice President of Tianxing Technology overseeing Tianxing Games and Tianxing Live, and also the eldest daughter of the Wu Family. Receiving an invitation was normal for her.

But she knew perfectly well that her attendance was entirely due to Chen Mo's influence. Even the Wu Family now only had the standing to curry favor with Chen Mo.

She deliberately wore a custom-made evening gown, stiletto heels, with her makeup impeccable down to the last hair, taking this alumni association very seriously.

After all, this was Chen Mo's first time attending such a formal occasion. By accompanying him, others would naturally see her as his official girlfriend. Just thinking about it made her secretly happy.

But Chen Mo, standing beside her, wore a simple casual outfit. Although it was designer wear, compared to her grandeur, he looked exceptionally relaxed. Standing together, their styles seemed a bit mismatched.

Wu Dongju felt a little frustrated inside but didn't dare say anything. Being able to accompany Chen Mo here was already something she felt grateful for.

Just as they were about to reach the entrance of the venue, Chen Mo suddenly stopped.

"I'm going to the restroom. You go in first, no need to wait for me."

As soon as the words left his mouth, he slipped away, leaving Wu Dongju standing there. She stomped her high heel in annoyance but could do nothing about it.

She couldn't just stand at the entrance waiting, so she swallowed her irritation and walked in alone.

Meanwhile, Chen Mo circled around the venue and let out a long sigh of relief.

It wasn't that he had any issue with Wu Dongju; he simply had a deep-seated aversion to these kinds of social gatherings.

In his previous life, to survive, he forced himself to learn how to flatter and fawn. But even when he lowered himself to the dust, few were willing to acknowledge him. Those so-called connections were, in the end, just exchanges of interest.

Besides, there was still over half an hour before the alumni association started. What was the rush to go in? Better to stroll around the campus and reminisce about his university days.

Back when he was a student, he was either in class or doing work-study. He never even had time to properly explore the campus, let alone any leisure for idle enjoyment.

Wu Dongju, with her mind full of thoughts about being the official girlfriend, naturally wouldn't accompany him on a slow, leisurely stroll.

On the campus of Fudan University in Shanghai, the autumn wind scattered golden ginkgo leaves, crunching softly underfoot. Sunlight filtered through the branches, warm and gentle.

Chen Mo walked slowly with his hands in his pockets. His casual clothes couldn't hide his striking looks and composed aura. Passing students couldn't help but glance back.

"Damn, that guy is way too handsome! Is he from our school?"

"Haven't seen him before. Maybe a freshman? His looks are seriously overpowering!"

"There's an alumni association today. Maybe he's an alumnus coming back?"

"An alumnus? He looks barely over twenty. What kind of big shot could he be?"

"Wait, he looks kind of familiar... Is that Chen Mo, the male lead from 'diamond lover'?"

"Chairman Chen of Tianxing Technology! Oh my god, it really is him!"

That one sentence woke everyone up. No one dared to treat him as just a regular handsome guy anymore. After all, Chen Mo was now an internationally renowned big shot.

The 22-year-old helmsman of a tech empire, who also became an overnight sensation with "diamond lover," excelling in both looks and acting—calling him the nation's male god wasn't an overstatement.

The students gathered not far away, whispering among themselves, their eyes full of admiration, but few dared to approach and strike up a conversation.

The gap was just too vast; they simply didn't have the courage.