"Yeah, Eric Yu mentioned you plenty of times. We actually wanted to meet you ages ago, but couldn't—Eric wouldn't let us, said he was worried it'd distract you from studying." The round-faced girl next to her nodded, her voice soft and gentle, instantly making a good impression.
"This time, we only got to see you because we kept pestering Eric to bring you over. Otherwise, he'd never let you out." Another girl chimed in.
"Have some tea first."
Tony Tao greeted them.
He was maybe two years older than Lynn Chen, but acted with a certain practiced maturity.
With just a few lines of small talk, the weird vibe caused by his earlier comment completely vanished.
It even made Lynn Chen wonder if she'd imagined the awkwardness.
"Thank you."
Lynn Chen and Nana took the tea Tony Tao handed over and found a spot to sit down.
"Eric said you're a top student. You're studying at Beijing University now, right?"
Tony Tao asked, leaning back on the sofa with his fingers interlaced. This time, when he looked at Lynn Chen, his gaze was warm—none of that uncomfortable vibe from before. "When I was a kid, my dream was actually to get into Beijing University, but even growing up in Beijing, I just didn't have the brains for it. So I could only dream about it in my sleep."
Tony Tao laughed at himself.
"Beijing University isn't all that great, honestly. You guys at the Film Academy have way more hotties."
Before Lynn Chen could say anything, Nana grinned and jumped in, totally at ease: "I used to want to be a movie star when I was a kid, but since I'm not that good-looking and heard you have to diet all the time, I gave up."
She sighed dramatically. "I'm actually jealous of you guys. Who knows, maybe you'll all be big stars someday."
Lynn Chen sat quietly while Nana chatted away, and the Film Academy students around them occasionally joined in the conversation.
They talked about everyday stuff and shared their takes on movies and music.
The overall vibe was really relaxed.
Lynn Chen finally felt herself relax a little inside.
"Looks like it's about time. Let's order some food."
Tony Tao grabbed the menu from the side and handed it to Lynn Chen. "Go ahead and order whatever you want. We've already picked out everything we're getting on our end."
"I'm hosting tonight, so eat whatever you like."
Lynn Chen took the menu, glanced at the dishes and their prices, and couldn't help but be a little shocked inside.
Expensive.
Even a simple plate of shredded potatoes cost over a hundred yuan.
Still, Lynn Chen didn't show it, just picked a few dishes with her pen.
Tony Tao watched Lynn Chen closely the whole time, smiling with satisfaction in his eyes.
The reason Tony Tao had Eric Yu bring Lynn Chen here wasn't because he wanted to play himself—it was because someone else wanted to.
That person's tastes were picky—they wanted a top student, and not just any top student, but one who hadn't been 'played' before.
Of course, the offer was pretty generous.
It wasn't just promising to help Eric Yu land an acting role—they even gave Tony Tao a five hundred thousand yuan check.
Easy money. Tony Tao had done this before—basically, just pimping girls out.
Now, looking at Lynn Chen after their brief interaction, Tony Tao felt pretty confident this would work out.
Especially since Lynn Chen seemed uninterested in money, and her conversation and aura were way more attractive than most girls her age. Tony Tao even felt tempted to cut in and play with her himself.
A girl like that—her first time in bed would definitely be something.
Tony Tao licked his lips. Eric Yu still wore a smile as he watched Lynn Chen finish ordering and hand the menu back, but inside, his feelings were complicated.
Part of him was hesitant.
He really did like Lynn Chen once, and even imagined a future with her.
But another part of him was angry.
That guy named Lin—how was he better than Eric?
Eric Yu thought about how Lynn Chen had been in Beijing for so long, still obsessed with news about Evan Lin, and how that guy kept ruining his chances with her again and again.
It made Eric Yu furious.
Why should he lose?
He refused to accept it.
She'd end up getting 'played' anyway.
If Lynn Chen was going to be taken advantage of by that Lin guy someday, why shouldn't she make a small sacrifice for his acting career instead?
Thinking this, Eric Yu clenched his fist a little, his gaze turning sharper.
This role was for the second male lead. If he really got it, it could launch him straight to the top.
Lynn Chen finished ordering, and she and Nana went to the table and sat down.
"I've got two other roommates and their friends on the way. Is it okay if they join us?"
Just as Lynn Chen sat down, she got a text from Jenny Sun and looked up to ask Eric Yu a question.
Eric Yu didn't dare make the call himself, so he turned to Tony Tao.
"Sure, let them come. It's just a simple meal anyway, and honestly, I like top students."
Tony Tao smiled, his eyes glinting. "Plus, at Scholar's Court, it takes a while for the food to come out after you order. There's plenty of time—let them join."
He couldn't play with Lynn Chen, but her roommates...
Maybe there'd be a couple more beauties?
Tony Tao was actually looking forward to it.
Lynn Chen sent over the exact location and box name.
"Hey, um... Lynn Chen?"
A girl a few seats away craned her neck to look at Lynn Chen. When Lynn finally glanced back, the girl grinned and spoke up: "I've been wanting to ask you something."
"I heard from Eric Yu that you've always had someone you like? Is that why you turned him down?"
"So, what's that person like? Tell us about him?"
The girl spoke without any hint of hostility.
As soon as she asked, everyone turned to look at Lynn Chen.
Among the crowd, aside from a few couples, some girls were actually here tonight to try their luck.
They didn't mind sleeping their way up, as long as they got what they wanted out of it.
Not everyone gets to choose dignity.
Someone who went down that path naturally wanted to drag everyone else along with them.
Based on what Eric Yu had said and Lynn Chen's brief conversation, she made a good impression on them.
Pretty, not greedy for money, not desperate for connections, smart enough, and most importantly, loyal to one guy.
Maybe she'd have a good future.
A future without any stains.
A few girls couldn't help but feel a vague jealousy.
Eric Yu looked at Lynn Chen, Nana looked at Lynn Chen, and Tony Tao also glanced at her with an amused smile on his lips.