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Thinking about the "heroic feat" of kicking someone off the bed, Lu Heng awkwardly had no idea how to respond.

Fortunately, the Wei family was used to Lu Heng's quiet nature and did not think much of it. Grandpa Wei casually said, "You're too quiet. We should have Zhan Jie assign you a sharper manager. Someone who can look out for you better."

Lu Heng was briefly dazed at that, thinking of the two managers he had had in his previous life.

One was Sun Shuliang, whom Star Entertainment had assigned to him. Back then, he had been a newcomer plagued by negative press over his contract. If Star Entertainment had not given him such a capable manager, he would not have established himself in the industry so quickly. Unfortunately, when Star Entertainment was acquired by Huaxia Imperial Entertainment, Brother Sun was persuaded by friends in the business and, instead of staying with Huaxia Imperial Entertainment, moved to Yingdun. He clashed with his new boss over their principles, and when he wanted to resign, one of his artists falsely accused him of being greedy, lecherous, and fond of pimping, claiming that he often forced artists to drink with clients... Since the artist had exposed it personally, the matter blew up. Brother Sun was even mockingly dubbed "Pimp Sun" by the media. All the female artists who had previously worked with him were dragged into it. Even Lu Heng and several other male artists were "exposed" by gossip tabloids as being kept by wealthy women. No matter how they tried to explain, no one believed them. For a time, the entertainment industry practically turned pale at the mention of Sun.

In the end, Wei Linxuan sued every gossip newspaper in the name of Huaxia Imperial Entertainment. Using an unconventional method, he forced every media outlet that had spread the rumors to bow their heads, admit fault, and print public apologies on their front pages. Only then was the matter cleared up.

After that incident, Brother Sun was completely disheartened. He left the industry and opened a hot pot restaurant in the capital. Later, somehow, he developed a drug addiction. Such a fine person, and in the end he actually...

Lu Heng quietly held his breath, unwilling to think any further.

But Grandpa and Grandma Wei mistook it for Lu Heng not understanding what a manager was, and exchanged amused smiles.

Grandma Wei said with a smile, "If you're bored, why not come do morning exercises with your grandpa and me?"

Lu Heng came back to himself and nodded with a smile.

Beijing in 2000 had not yet become a city of smog. Looking up, one could still see the color of the sky. The newly risen sun dyed the surrounding clouds a magnificent gold and red. The villa district where the Wei family lived had vast stretches of greenery, and the summer breeze carried the fresh scent of grass and trees, instantly refreshing the mind.

Lu Heng accompanied the elderly Wei couple all the way to a small park fitted with exercise equipment. He found many elderly people there, their hair and beards white but their spirits vigorous, practicing tai chi. Some counted the beat as they danced waltzes, while others walked cats and dogs on the lawn. The down-to-earth scene left Lu Heng speechless, reminding him at once of the aunties in later years who danced in public squares.

The elderly people in the park also noticed Lu Heng, who seemed rather out of place amid the surroundings, and looked over with warm, friendly smiles.

Someone asked with a laugh, "...Is this the little hero who helped the police catch those human traffickers? He's much more handsome in person than on television."

"What an outstanding young man!"

"How old are you this year? What do your parents do?"

"You're so skilled at kung fu. Huaxia Imperial Entertainment must have signed you as an artist, right? When are you going to make movies or TV dramas? Be sure to tell Grandma and Grandpa. We'll all come support you..."

Before long, all the grandpas and grandmas in the little park had gathered around, looking at, touching, and patting Lu Heng. Even several cats and dogs came over and kept sniffing around him.

Lu Heng truly could not handle it, and in the end, he hastily fled on the excuse of going for a morning run.

It was not yet six o'clock. There was hardly anyone in the vast villa district. Lu Heng jogged around the neighborhood, and on the silent roads, he could hear only his own footsteps and heartbeat, along with...

Lu Heng slowed down and looked toward the densely wooded greenbelt beside the road. He had the distinct feeling that someone was there—

"Lu Heng, we need to head back. You need breakfast, and you still have to go to school later." The cameraman, carrying a camera on his shoulder, ran over, panting heavily.

"So early?" Lu Heng was somewhat surprised. "Isn't it not even six yet?"

"Beijing traffic is pretty congested. And the school is quite far away, so it'll probably take about an hour." The junior director patiently explained, then urged, "Hurry back."

Lu Heng nodded. He cast another glance at the lush, shaded greenbelt before turning and heading back.

After the two left, a man dressed like a sanitation worker, with a mask over his face, emerged from the greenbelt. His gaze remained fixed eerily on the direction Lu Heng had gone.

Yanjing University Affiliated Middle School was the best middle school in the country, and one of the finest in the world. Lu Heng had spent seven days here in his previous life, and his strongest impression was that it did not resemble a middle school at all. From its facilities to its teaching methods, in many ways it was more like a university than a university. Every student there was so outstanding that they made others feel inferior.

Its relaxed yet rigorous approach to education, its dazzling variety of electives and club activities, its beautiful school buildings, dark-red rubber track, football field covered in artificial turf, and cafeteria containing snacks from all around the world had, for a long time, been the most unforgettable part of Lu Heng's school years. Even after he had been forced to drop out midway to film dramas, he had never forgotten his time studying here. That was why he had insisted on sending his older brother and younger sister to Beijing to study. To some extent, it was also to make up for the regret in his own heart.

Yet he had never imagined that one day, he would travel upstream against the river of time, return to the age of fourteen, and stand here once more as a guest of the program crew.

In Class Seven, Grade Nine of Yanjing University Affiliated Middle School, homeroom teacher Song Huaiyan smiled as she assessed the teenager beside her. She had also been following the recent sensational news about the "little hero who helped the police crack a major human trafficking case." The promotional clips repeatedly aired by Huaxia TV had left viewers eager with anticipation. Now that she was seeing the person involved in person, Song Huaiyan could not help but marvel amid her curiosity. She truly could not imagine how such a gentle-looking boy could possess such tremendous strength, capable of facing seven or eight human traffickers alone without falling behind.