Before high school, Xu Xiuwen always had better grades than him, so he was often compared to his cousin and always came up short.
After entering high school, Xu Xiuwen's grades plummeted, while his own improved steadily through hard work. As a result, when his family compared them again, he had already surpassed Xu Xiuwen.
In the end, he was admitted to a first-tier university, while Xu Xiuwen only got into a third-tier one.
He felt immensely proud and vindicated.
This time, he deliberately misrepresented his financial aid as a national scholarship, driven by vanity and a desire to cooperate with his mother in belittling Xu Xiuwen at the dinner table.
However, he was exposed on the spot, causing both him and his mother to lose face.
But that was not the worst part.
When he learned that Xu Xiuwen had acted in a TV drama, his first reaction was one of disbelief.
Why should a student who only got into a third-tier university be named one of the school's top ten young students?
Why should he get to act in a TV drama?
Just because he's handsome?
Actually, Li Lei, Wu Qiang, and even his other cousin weren't unattractive; they were reasonably good-looking, but still couldn't compare to Xu Xiuwen.
At this moment, Li Lei was utterly obsessed.
He kept shaking his head, muttering "impossible" repeatedly.
Just then, Xu Xiuwen's phone rang.
Xu Xiuwen saw that it was a call from his dormitory leader, Jin Haonan.
Xu Xiuwen had already informed his roommates of the TV drama's premiere via text message, and they all agreed to support him.
So, seeing Jin Haonan's call, Xu Xiuwen had a pretty good idea of what he wanted to say.
Xu Xiuwen smiled faintly, answered the call, and put it on speaker.
"Hey, brother Hao."
"Xiuwen, I watched the TV drama you acted in. It's really great. Your portrayal of Daoming Si is just too cool. I can already imagine how many girls will be swarming around you when you return to school next year."
Xu Xiuwen glanced at his cousin Li Lei and deliberately said, "Brother Hao, some people don't believe it's me in the TV drama."
Jin Haonan was momentarily stunned, then said, "Didn't they see you on TV? How could they not believe it? Are they brain-damaged?"
Jin Haonan had no idea whom Xu Xiuwen was talking about, nor did he know that person was right next to him.
After hearing Jin Haonan's words, Xu Xiuwen's cousin Li Lei turned pale with anger, his expression extremely unpleasant.
Xu Xiuwen looked away, feeling satisfied, and said, "Who knows? Oh well, brother Hao, you might be right. It seems like I'll have to wear a hat and sunglasses when I go back to school next year."
"A hat and sunglasses might not be enough. I think this drama will be a hit. If it really takes off, you'll become a big star. Then I'll have a celebrity roommate, and that'll be something to brag about."
Xu Xiuwen laughed heartily, "If I really become a big star, I'll give brother Hao the first autograph."
"Deal."
"Yeah."
"I won't disturb you any longer. They might also be calling you. I'll hang up now."
"Okay."
Just as Jin Haonan said, Xu Xiuwen's roommates called him one after another.
Xu Xiuwen chatted briefly with each one before hanging up.
He looked at Li Lei and casually asked, "Do you believe it now? If not, that's fine. The cast list will be shown at the end, and my name will be there."
Now, everyone believed it!
Realizing that their nephew (cousin, grandson) had acted in a TV drama and might become a star made some very happy and others quite envious.
However, even those who were envious dared not show it.
Their first thought was how much money Xu Xiuwen could make if he became a star.
Maybe if they maintained a good relationship with him, they could benefit from his success.
At this moment, his second aunt and third aunt deeply regretted not treating this nephew better before.
Fortunately, it wasn't too late, and there was Ning Wanqiu to help.
His second and third aunts were now plotting how to curry favor with Ning Wanqiu and Xu Xiuwen.
Xu Xiuwen's eldest aunt felt a mix of emotions.
She had always been overshadowed by Ning Wanqiu, whether in looks, grades, or personality. Everyone praised Ning Wanqiu and ignored her.
When they grew up, Ning Wanqiu went to university, while she got married early and became an ordinary rural woman, working the fields with her back to the sky.
She had almost always lived in her younger sister's shadow.
This situation changed when her sister returned home during her first winter break from university.
To everyone's surprise, she brought back a child.
After the college entrance exams, Ning Wanqiu went to Bengbu to work, spending the whole summer there. Even her university admission letter was mailed to her in Bengbu.
Afterwards, she directly went to school and stayed there for six months without coming home.
When she finally returned, she brought a child with her.
This caused chaos at home, disturbing the entire household.
Once things calmed down, the first reaction of her grandparents was to find out who the child's father was.
But no matter how much they pressed, Ning Wanqiu refused to say.
They went door to door asking, but no one admitted to being the father.
Instead, the news spread around the village.
Originally, Ning Wanqiu was the first in the village to get into college, bringing great pride to her grandfather.
But now, being unmarried and pregnant, her grandfather's reputation was tarnished, with people gossiping and saying he failed to raise her properly and was unworthy of being a teacher.
Ning Wanqiu was no longer seen as the obedient girl by everyone, and her image was ruined.
This made Ning Wanchun feel better.
However, after becoming parents, the comparison shifted to their children.
Ning Wanchun once again found herself at a disadvantage.
Xu Xiuwen, inheriting Ning Wanqiu's intelligence, consistently excelled in his studies and was also good at soccer, even making it onto the school team. He was praised by everyone.
In contrast, her own child had average grades, no particular athletic talent, and wasn't as good-looking as Ning Wanqiu's child.
She felt life was unfair, wondering why her sister got all the good things.
Until high school, when Xu Xiuwen's grades started to decline and Li Lei's grades improved, resulting in one getting into a top university and the other into a less prestigious one.
Ning Wanchun finally felt proud and could hold her head high in front of Ning Wanqiu.
However, just six months later, Xu Xiuwen surprised her again.
Buying a car and starring in a TV drama.
Why was the universe so kind to Ning Wanqiu? It was just too unfair!
Ning Wanchun glanced at her two silent younger sisters, guessing their thoughts, and felt even more frustrated.
She suddenly shouted at Li Lei, "Why are you still here? Are you trying to embarrass us?"
Then she turned and walked out.
Seeing his mother leave, Li Lei immediately followed.
Ning Wanchun went to the front room, called her husband, and the family of three quickly left.
Inside the small room.
Ning Jiali suddenly said, "Second Aunt, Little Aunt, if you're not watching the drama, could you please leave so we can watch in peace?"
Upon hearing this, the elders in the room gradually left.
The younger generation stayed behind.
They all sat on the two large beds in the room, watching the TV drama.
Xu Xiuwen had already seen the drama once and, being the male lead, didn't watch it with them.
He remembered hanging up on Cheng Lu earlier and went to the courtyard to call her back.
The phone was quickly answered again.
Cheng Lu's voice came through, "I heard a girl screaming earlier. What happened?"
Xu Xiuwen smiled and said, "Nothing, my cousin was just too surprised to see me on TV."
"Oh, I see," Cheng Lu replied, relieved.
Xu Xiuwen asked, "Have you watched the drama?"
"Yes, I'm watching it now," Cheng Lu answered.
"What do you think of it?"
Cheng Lu laughed lightly, "It's not bad. My pig is quite handsome."
Xu Xiuwen laughed, "I just spoke to Brother Hao. He said this drama might become popular. If it does, I'll be a big star. Are you nervous?"
Cheng Lu didn't reply immediately. After a few seconds of silence, she said, "Why would I be nervous? Even if you become a big star, you'll still be my pig."
Xu Xiuwen sensed her unease. If she wasn't nervous, she wouldn't have paused for those few seconds.
Feeling the atmosphere becoming heavy, Xu Xiuwen said, "Now I understand what it means for days to feel like years. Lulu, I miss you so much."
"Yeah, I miss you too."
They both fell silent again.
Then they talked for a long time, pouring out their hearts to each other.
Before ending the call, Xu Xiuwen said with a smile, "After the New Year, it'll be almost time to go back to school. I'll go early to wait for you."
"Okay, I know."
"Go back to watching the drama."
Xu Xiuwen said and hung up the phone.