The Martial Artist Turned Movie Mogul

Ever since her visit to Starshine Media, Tang Shu has added a new task to her evenings, dedicating most of her time to the equipment in the basement laboratory.

The research project involving the Full Moon Plant has now confirmed its list of researchers and is set to commence soon. This time, Professor Yu will lead the team again, but another research team has also joined.

Tang Shu plans to practice several prescriptions through this project, and in fact, the plan had already started—the laboratory in Palm Pavilion had always been busy.

In the laboratory, as a bowl of medicine was completed, Tang Shu put down the instrument she was handling and began furiously typing on the laptop beside her.

She needs to finish several papers on the Full Moon Plant and deliver them to Professor Yu before the project starts. This is because she cannot report to the school daily like other researchers, and she hopes to help the research team avoid some detours.

"Knock knock—"

The rhythmic knocking came from the laboratory door, Tang Shu, without looking up, asked, "Tiantian, what is it?"

"It’s time for dinner."

The voice at the door wasn’t Tiantian’s, but a deep male voice, familiar and very comforting.

Tang Shu paused, halted her typing, and looked towards the door, only to see Jing Yu leaning against the cabinet next to it, quietly watching her with his deep black eyes.

"Why are you here?"

"Tiantian has already prepared dinner, I came to check on you. Have you been very busy lately?"

"Yes, a research project at the school is about to start."

Tang Shu typed a few more characters, "Wait for me? Or you can start eating first?"

"...Two minutes."

What does going to eat first mean?

Jing Yu decisively gave up, his tone firm, sounding non-negotiable.

Tang Shu sped up her typing, recorded some thoughts in a minute, set aside the bowl of medicine, and then followed Jing Yu to the stairs.

"Has Aunt Xia not returned yet?"

"Soon, there’s just one more performance left, and dad will be back soon too. Shall we go next door in a few days? Let Aunt Lin cook something delicious for you."

"Sure, I haven’t seen Aunt Xia in a long time..."

The two reached the dining room, where the table was already full. Ren Xiazhi had been staying there long term, and Xu Qianyun and Qu Junfeng, seemingly inspired by something, had also been reporting daily lately.

Moreover, Tang Shu noticed that these two had started loving books, even the topics of discussion at meals had turned into homework, effectively turning Palm Pavilion into a school cafeteria.

"How was today’s physics test, did everyone finish?"

"I left the 23rd big problem blank, I spent too much time on the earlier parts, but I feel my maths score should be okay, I managed to answer all of it at least."

"Oh~~~ don’t mention it, I’d be happy just to pass maths this time."

Ren Xiazhi stuffed a mouthful of rice into his mouth, tapping a few times on his wristwatch screen with his other hand, before quickly bringing his head closer to it.

"Hmm—I think Question 23 was pretty straightforward? You just need to clear your thoughts, which formula did you use?"

"?!"

There was a moment of silence at the table, and the next second, Xu Qianyun and Qu Junfeng simultaneously turned their heads towards Ren Xiazhi... and his watch, their eyes wide open.

"What’s that?"

"You actually have our mock exam questions on your wrist?!"

"Just look it up... wasn’t the focus supposed to be on Physics Question 23?"

Both: "..."

Indescribably speechless.

Tang Shu cleared her throat, signaling Ren Xiazhi to tone it down a bit, then went to console the slightly older "normal" high school students.

"Xiaozhi’s computer skills are very good, but he shouldn’t hack into the database of Imperial City No. 1 Middle School. You two... should really pay more attention to that problem."

However, this remark did not deter the normal high school students from admiring the little genius with sparkling eyes.

Jing Yu brought a bowl of porridge in front of Tang Shu, indicating her to eat, "Let the kids figure it out themselves, they’ll grow up eventually."

Well, that was a fair point. When she was just a little bean, she didn’t quite like being dictated by adults either.

So after this day, one more activity was added to the study room of Palm Pavilion:

Xu Qianyun and Qu Junfeng each held an exam paper, and whenever they encountered problems they couldn’t solve, they would consult Ren Xiazhi next to them. After which, the three of them would head to the training room together, except the roles had reversed, and Ren Xiazhi became the one being taught.

"Xiaozhi, you’re like an Encyclopedia!"

"And one that includes astronomy and geography at that, omnipotent!"

The two no longer quarreled with the little genius but instead held him in awe, not underestimating him due to his young age. During such times, Ren Xiazhi felt extremely uncomfortable and could only helplessly scratch his head to ease the awkwardness.

After observing the three of them interact several times, Tang Shu stopped intervening and went on to handle her own matters.

***

In July, the promotion for "Easy Rule Jianghu 2" began overwhelmingly.

Thanks to the great reception of the first part, this round immediately attracted many fans’ attention, and on the very first day the crew posted on their official Weibo, it became a trending search.

While filming "Typhoon," Tang Shu appropriately reposted the Weibo and also shared a collage of her beautiful photos.

Of course, they were photos of her dressed in ancient costume.

"Ice Beauty returns to the Jianghu! Aww aww aww~~~~ So excited!"

"My god, Uncle is so beautiful? Dressed in flowing white, why does he look so soft and easy to bully?"

"The guy upstairs must be crazy, you can’t say Uncle is easy to bully!"

"Honestly, calling him Uncle while facing such a beauty, I find it a bit hard to say..."

"As a movie fan, seeing Ice Beauty ascend to the lead role, I really want to watch her story!"

"A little fairy who doesn’t talk much and draws her sword at any disagreement, what kind of man would it take to tame her, I wonder?"

"My guess is a true hero, one with high combat power, otherwise no one can tame her—"

"Sorry, I disagree. From the first part, I felt that no hero is worthy of Ice Beauty, it must be a noble man who doesn’t know martial arts!"

"And he must be gentle and handsome, the kind that wins people over with virtue!"

...

The movie’s topics remained popular, and what the fans loved discussing the most was what kind of person the male lead was. Seeing the heated discussion among the netizens, the crew even specially organized a voting event, listing all possible options.

"Dammit, ABCD is already something, but what in the world are options EFG? Are your imaginations that wild?"

"Before today, I never knew the male lead could be listed in 7 completely different ways, enlightening indeed."

"I thought apart from the aloof general and the gracefully noble man, there wouldn’t be a third type..."

"Never mind the rest, what the heck is option G, [Chatty Little Rascal]? Tell me this isn’t real, how did this option even get on there, is it officially registered? Are there proper procedures?"