9: Successfully admitted to the Hehuan Sect

"Teacher Wang." Li Xiuwu teased the little birds on the tree, several of them hopping back and forth between the branches and his fingers.

Wang Jinsong restrained his tone: "Xiuwu, I'm calling to inform you that you've been admitted to the Beijing Film Academy."

"Ah, I see." Li Xiuwu wasn't excited; instead, he seemed somewhat troubled.

"But the teachers from Tsinghua University called me the day before yesterday."

Wang Jinsong thought to himself, "As expected." He remained calm and said, "I've seen your application; you only listed our Beijing Film Academy."

"The Tsinghua teachers said they could help me change it."

"That's illegal behavior." Wang Jinsong was furious. Was there no justice left?

"I didn't know that." Li Xiuwu looked completely innocent.

"What are you thinking?" Wang Jinsong asked Li Xiuwu. He had already looked into Li Xiuwu's family situation; he was all alone.

As long as Li Xiuwu firmly chose the Beijing Film Academy, there was hope.

"Tsinghua and Peking University said they'd waive my tuition fees."

"They must waive them."

"Tsinghua and Peking University said they'd give me a scholarship."

"They must give it."

"Tsinghua and Peking University said they'd provide a living allowance."

"They must provide it."

"Tsinghua and Peking University said I could directly enter a Ph.D. program and choose my own advisor."

"They must allow it."

"Teacher, I actually do have an artistic heart, but Tsinghua and Peking University said they have music, photography, and dance departments. What advantages does our Beijing Film Academy have?"

"Our Beijing Film Academy's directing and photography departments are number one in the country."

"Teacher, if you put it that way, I'll just go to the Central Academy of Drama." Li Xiuwu's voice turned cold.

Wang Jinsong was stunned, really wanting to slap himself twice. Why did he have to bring up that sore point?

He thought it over and over, but the Beijing Film Academy really had no advantages compared to Tsinghua and Peking University. Even its acting department wasn't as good as the Central Academy of Drama. He decided to just ask Li Xiuwu directly what he wanted.

"Xiuwu, what conditions do you have? Speak boldly."

Hearing this, Li Xiuwu didn't beat around the bush and directly stated his condition: "Teacher Wang, I heard that 'demi-gods and semi-devils' is currently casting Actors. Do you think I could play Duan Yu?"

"Yes, absolutely yes." Wang Jinsong agreed decisively.

"Teacher, I'll wait for your good news." Li Xiuwu said.

"Xiuwu, can you come to the school first? I'm afraid you might be tricked by other schools." Wang Jinsong knew exactly how fiercely Tsinghua and Peking University fought over students.

Meet up first and take the person away, so others can't find them.

Even calling the police is useless; they just won't let the person go. The police can't get them out anyway; they can only assure you that your child is absolutely safe.

"Teacher, no one knows where I'm living now." Li Xiuwu held millet in his palm as a Budgerigar, having escaped from who knows where, landed on his hand.

This bird often escaped but had no survival skills in the wild.

"Should I arrange for a senior female student to come keep you company?" Wang Jinsong was still afraid that Li Xiuwu might be found by teachers from other institutions.

"That doesn't seem appropriate." Li Xiuwu hesitated. Was the Hehuan Sect going to assign him a Dual Cultivation Dao Companion?

"Then forget it. Just hide well and don't let the Tsinghua and Peking University people find you." Wang Jinsong reminded Li Xiuwu again.

After hanging up, he immediately called the dean of the film academy, Zhang Jun.

"Duan Yu. No matter who the director is, this Duan Yu role is definitely ours at the Beijing Film Academy." Zhang Jun said resolutely.

"The director is Big Beard Zhang." Wang Jinsong reminded him.

"Even if it were Zhang Erhuzi, he'd have to hand over Duan Yu. I'll call him." Zhang Jun hung up and called Big Beard Zhang.

Upon receiving Zhang Jun's call, Big Beard Zhang was completely confused. He wanted Duan Yu?

He had just invited Lu Yi to play Duan Yu but was refused and was considering other candidates.

Just a newcomer.

"Dean Zhang, I can't decide alone. There are also the TV station and investors." Big Beard Zhang shifted the blame elsewhere.

"No matter who it is, give me their numbers." Zhang Jun said domineeringly.

Big Beard Zhang was speechless and cautiously asked, "What's his relationship to you?"

"This year's top scholar of the college entrance examination. Our Beijing Film Academy must have him." Zhang Jun also knew that directly arranging for a newcomer to play the lead role in a Jin Yong Drama wouldn't make sense without a reason.

Big Beard Zhang was stunned for a moment, then understood.

The top scholar of the college entrance examination—that could work too. As long as he looked good, it could even be a promotional boost.

"Dean Zhang, I have no objections." Even though he didn't know what he looked like yet, Big Beard Zhang stopped resisting... "Li Xiuwu, you actually got first place with a perfect score, the top scholar of the college entrance examination." Liu Yifei's voice was filled with shock.

Li Xiuwu had called to report his score, and she didn't believe it. After checking herself over the phone, she called Li Xiuwu back.

"Just average." Li Xiuwu said calmly.

"You're amazing! The top scholar of the college entrance examination! You can choose any university in the country." She still found it hard to believe, especially with such good grades, that Li Xiuwu had still taken the Beijing Film Academy's art exam.

"Are you still going to the Beijing Film Academy?" she asked.

"Depends on the school's performance." Li Xiuwu said.

Liu Yifei pouted, but she understood that the Beijing Film Academy really had to work hard to win him over.

She chattered away for a while before her phone was taken by Liu Xiaoli.

"Congratulations, Xiuwu."

"Thank you, Auntie."

"Think carefully. Although the Beijing Film Academy is good, you should also consider your future." Liu Xiaoli also felt it was a pity for Li Xiuwu with his grades to go to the Beijing Film Academy.

But he had no adults in his family; it was all up to him. She felt Li Xiuwu's choice was a bit reckless.

"Thank you, Auntie. I'll think carefully." Li Xiuwu thanked her.

Wang Jinsong acted quickly, confirming the Duan Yu role that afternoon and calling Li Xiuwu.

"Teacher, I feel the school's sincerity. I'll report to the school on time."

[Congratulations, Host. Successfully joined the top cultivation sect of the Cultivation World, the Hehuan Sect, becoming an Outer Disciple of the Hehuan Sect. System reward: Art of Conquering Women.]

A strange set of postures flooded Li Xiuwu's understanding. So it could be done like this.

Conquer three thousand women, ascend in a hundred days.

Even at one per day, it would take over eight years. Isn't that nonsense... At the same time, news spread that the top scholar of the college entrance examination had joined the 'demi-gods and semi-devils' crew to play Duan Yu.

A single stone stirred up a thousand waves, with media rushing to report.

They interviewed his teachers and classmates, finding photos of him taken at school.

In his school uniform, he looked handsome and dashing.

At the same time, his casting also sparked some controversy.

"A newcomer, even with good academic results, how can we guarantee his acting skills are good too? After all, acting isn't like solving problems." Some media raised such doubts.

"Yes, yes. It's not that he isn't impressive, but acting and studying are just different."

"Leave professional matters to professionals. With such good grades, not focusing on university but going into acting—it's neglecting one's proper duties."

Some were heartbroken. Their own children struggled to get into university, while someone else's child, a perfect-score top scholar, was going into acting.

"Actors ruin the country, Actors ruin the country. Such an outstanding talent actually runs off to act. The world is going downhill."

Big Beard Zhang didn't expect releasing this news to cause such a huge uproar.

Even teachers from Tsinghua and Peking University came to him. Big Beard Zhang looked at the two people in front of him.

Although they weren't famous, Big Beard Zhang absolutely didn't dare to offend them.

He finally understood the weight of being the top scholar of the college entrance examination.

He honestly explained that he hadn't even met Li Xiuwu; it was the Beijing Film Academy who demanded the role for him.

The two teachers from Tsinghua and Peking University exchanged glances, feeling indignant.

If he'd been snatched by the other side, fine. But being taken by the Beijing Film Academy—what was that about? Was the Beijing Film Academy even worthy?

They really wanted to call the police. Had the Beijing Film Academy detained him?