Chapter 38: Brother’s Chance at Fame Has Arrived

"Let me go! I want to tell my sister—you’re lying..." Xu Yi, unhappy with his mouth being covered, struggled with all his might.

Wang Fan, caught off guard, lost his grip, and before he could stop him, it was already too late.

"Lying to whom?"

Lin Xiyu had appeared behind them without warning, startling him into a cold sweat.

"Him."

With his sister present, Xu Yi suddenly felt emboldened. Mimicking Wang Fan's tone, he repeated word for word what had just been said.

"Wang Fan..."

Lin Xiyu’s temper flared. "So you’re the real culprit."

"No, Class Rep, you have to let me defend—no, explain myself..."

Flustered, Wang Fan stumbled over his words in a spectacular stammer.

"What were you betting on?"

Gu Bin, amused by the scene and loyal to his friend, stepped in to help.

Wang Fan forced a bitter smile. "Whoever can convince the class rep to climb Mount Tai with us wins."

"That’s what you were betting on?"

Gu Bin looked at him as if he were an idiot. "I was planning to organize the entire class for this trip anyway. I called you all here to discuss it."

"The whole class is going?"

Wang Fan was dumbfounded, regret welling up inside him. "Why didn’t you say so earlier? If I’d known, why would we have made such a stupid bet?!"

"Serves you right for letting your head be turned by a pretty face," Gu Bin teased, "Classic case of bringing trouble on yourself."

Xu Yi burst out laughing, his small tiger teeth showing as he grinned with delight.

"Xiao Yi, want to climb Mount Tai? I’ll take you..."

Refusing to admit defeat, Wang Fan’s eyes darted as he set his sights on the younger boy.

"Can I really go?" Xu Yi’s eyes lit up.

"Of course," Wang Fan coaxed, "If you want to go, I’ll take you. All expenses on me—you won’t have to pay a cent."

"Are you really that generous?" Xu Yi, shrewd as ever, eyed him suspiciously. "You’re not plotting something again, are you? Trying to buy me off with an invitation?"

"Hey, you little..." Wang Fan was taken aback, half amused and half exasperated. "You’re too cunning for your own good. Someone invites you out to have fun and you get all picky about it."

"Sis, are you going?" Xu Yi ignored him, looking eagerly at Lin Xiyu. "I’ll go if you do."

"I will. Why wouldn’t I?"

Seeing an opening, Wang Fan seized the chance to persuade her. "We’ve just finished the exams. If you don’t take this opportunity to have some fun, you won’t get another chance once university starts."

"I’m not sure if I can..." Lin Xiyu, unwilling to let her brother down, hesitated. "I have to check with Sister Yan to see if it’ll interfere with filming."

"What are you all filming, anyway?" Wang Fan glanced toward where Director Du and the others stood by the pond, finally asking the real question.

"A documentary," Xu Yi answered eagerly. "It’s about the real lives of people living in the old courtyard houses."

"Not bad, Class Rep..." Wang Fan didn’t miss a beat, laying on the flattery. "You’ll be a TV star—don’t forget your old classmates when you’re famous."

"TV star? You and your nonsense," Lin Xiyu shot him a mock glare. "Sister Yan wants you to cooperate with the motorcycle scene, and you too, Gu Bin. Hurry over, both of you. The interviews are about to start."

"Me too?" Wang Fan perked up instantly, tossing his hair like a flamboyant peacock. "Ha! My moment of fame has finally come. Now you’ll see what a true daredevil is!"