Chapter 44 - 43: Like a Racing Horse, Treading on Water to Arrive

Chapter 44: Chapter 43: Like a Racing Horse, Treading on Water to ArriveJiang Shu withdrew his foot and stood steadily. But unbeknownst to him, in Ye Zhenzhen’s eyes, his every move was not that of an ordinary high school senior, but rather like a fierce tiger ready to pounce on its prey at any moment! How could such a youth be gay! Ye Zhenzhen’s mind drifted, and it was at this moment that she finally understood why Director Zheng, despite holding a high position, valued Jiang Shu so much. "If you’re alone in the future, don’t go wandering into the mountains and forests. Even in the cinema, you said the world is about to change greatly. Why is it that when it comes to yourself, you’re somewhat negligent of your own safety?" "How do you know? No, wait, are you the son of that auntie?" Staring intently at Jiang Shu’s side profile, Ye Zhenzhen finally recalled. Her eyes widened as she exclaimed. The cinema was dim, and she had been wearing sunglasses, so she hadn’t paid much attention to Jiang Shu then. Now that she thought about it, Jiang Shu, who had been practicing Martial Arts for half a year and knew Director Zheng, probably knew more secrets than she did. The words she had spoken in front of that woman... Suddenly, Ye Zhenzhen’s face turned a bit red. She felt the embarrassment of an average student trying to lecture a failing one in the presence of a top student. "Your voice and build don’t lie," Jiang Shu said, his gaze distant, offering a rare explanation. From halfway up the mountain, he looked down at a corner of Ji City, where cars flowed like water and pedestrians scurried like ants. "I don’t know what you’re thinking," he said. "All I know is, when the world really changes, the only thing people can trust is themselves." "Right now, you might just be treating reaching the entry-level of the Horse Stance as a preliminary task for shooting a Martial Arts promotional film. But merely reaching the entry-level of the Horse Stance will never let you experience the true essence of Martial Arts. Only when you’ve achieved small success with the stance and start to sense your own vital energy will you understand how fascinating Martial Arts truly are." "If you had strength in you today, what would you have to fear from a mere viper?" "Go back." "Mm..." Ye Zhenzhen, with her head down, uttered a soft response. In the moment Jiang Shu spoke, she felt as if she were back in an elementary school classroom. She was the student sitting below. And Jiang Shu was the teacher standing high above on the podium. The image of Jiang Shu executing a punch and stomping his foot remained indelibly imprinted in her mind. RUSTLE. RUSTLE. RUSTLE. Jiang Shu stepped on the fallen leaves, slowly descending the mountain. Ye Zhenzhen followed closely behind, her face no longer carrying the carefree expression she had upon arrival. 「...」 In the days that followed, Ye Zhenzhen, for once, didn’t slack off. With her considerable Talent, she reached the entry-level of the Horse Stance in around ten days. The Martial Arts promotional film officially began shooting. She had been itching to go for ten days. Finally, it was her area of expertise! "Jiang Shu, yes, yes, just like that angle, don’t move, be natural. Just act as you normally do. Why do you suddenly get a bit stiff when you’re on camera? How are the cameramen supposed to film you like this?" "Just standing in a stance is too boring. Do you know any boxing? Perform a set, something cool, maybe we can edit it in later." "Actually, Jiang Shu, I think you should get a buzz cut. A buzz cut is the only true test of a handsome man! Trust my judgment. I’ve been in the entertainment industry for so many years, and I’ve never been wrong! If you get a buzz cut, you’ll have this ascetic, handsome vibe that will absolutely enchant a bunch of young girls." "Your hair right now is neither here nor there; it’s neither long nor short. If it were longer, that would be great—like a handsome man in ancient costume! Wear a mask, and then take it off—fantastic! Let me tell you, you may understand Martial Arts, but promotion? That’s definitely my territory. The stance and the boxing are all to serve the ’cool’ factor!" "Cool is what attracts people. Trust me, if you want to grow your hair long, do it next time. Get a buzz cut! It’ll be unbelievably awesome!" Ye Zhenzhen circled Jiang Shu, who was holding the Horse Stance, bouncing around and chattering nonstop, her small mouth firing off like a machine gun as she quickly pointed out his perceived flaws: "My judgment can’t be wrong. If you don’t believe me, ask my team!" She pointed. A few meters away, the makeup artist, lighting technician, and cameraman stood at a distance, nodding frantically. They dared not speak. They dared not ask. Ye Zhenzhen had free rein over the whole process. After all, their pay came from this little tyrant before them. "I’m not cutting my hair. How about this: I’ll wear a wig and try the ancient costume look?" Jiang Shu also had a headache over this; if he hadn’t already agreed to Director Zheng, he really didn’t want to continue with such a troublesome promotional shoot. With this time, he could be grinding more. Wouldn’t it be better to raise his proficiency level? "You really can’t cut it? But a buzz cut is really handsome." "No." Jiang Shu’s tone was flat and direct. He had been growing his hair for half a year and had finally managed to get it to neck length. If he cut it now, he might look dashing for the Martial Arts promo, sure. But what about in the Da Jing Dynasty? What would I do then? He couldn’t always go around wearing a wig, could he? "Fine, then give it a try!" Ye Zhenzhen’s face showed disappointment. She sighed helplessly and gestured. The makeup artist hurried over, taking Jiang Shu to a hastily erected tent to change and put on makeup. "Can you borrow some small boats? Let’s go to the lake to shoot. My idea is that I’ll take one small boat to the center of the lake. One photographer will follow me in another small boat, and the other photographer will shoot from the shore." Before long, Jiang Shu emerged from the tent, clad in a long gown. He decided to shoot the Martial Arts promo at his own pace. Otherwise, if they kept dragging their feet like this, they probably wouldn’t finish the shoot properly even in another half a month. By then, the college entrance exams would have started. "What is this for?" "Don’t worry about it; just do as you’re told." "Oh." Ye Zhenzhen made a phone call, and within half an hour, everything was ready. Jiang Shu sat in the small boat, paddling alone to the center of the lake. The small boat swayed slightly on the water’s surface. But he seemed not to care at all, standing up and assuming a firm Horse Stance. The sunlight shone directly on his handsome face. Jiang Shu turned his head slightly, allowing the gentle breeze to stir his long hair. Man on the boat, boat on the lake. In this moment, they blended perfectly, like a scene from a painting. The photographer in the other small boat crouched down, capturing the panorama. Through his lens, Jiang Shu and the small boat drifted with the current, slowly floating towards the shore. The lake ripples. Yet, even on this unstable, floating small boat, he can still stand steady in a Horse Stance. This not only demonstrates the Realm of his stance but also a harmonious existence with nature, giving a sense of the Unity of Heaven and Man. Tsk, who would’ve thought that blockhead could come up with such a scene. It’s a pity; it’s still a bit too dry. With some soothing music, it could be mesmerizing for a few seconds. But only a few seconds. People are so impatient these days; who would watch without a highlight? He could make a living off his looks, but with Jiang Shu so far from shore, the photographer wouldn’t be able to get a clear shot of his face. Such a good scene, and we’ll only be able to use a few seconds from it. Still, that’s enough; it’s better than nothing at all. On the shore, Ye Zhenzhen watched the small boat slowly drifting from the center of the lake, murmuring softly to herself. However, just as she finished speaking, Jiang Shu suddenly let out a long cry from the small boat. She looked up. There he was—Jiang Shu, who had been standing in a Horse Stance on the small boat, suddenly kicked its bow. The small boat sped off, water splashing everywhere. Jiang Shu leapt from the small boat. He landed with one foot on the water. While still a good ten meters from shore, he advanced towards Ye Zhenzhen and the others, his body like a charging steed as he tread across the water!