The next day.
Ye Tong unprecedentedly gave herself and Ji Ning a day off, avoiding the film base, mainly fearing trouble.
The film city prohibits extras from fighting outside of work hours, and if they cause economic losses to the crew, they would have to pay huge compensation.
These two penniless souls feared the compensation and thus fled nonstop.
"Sister Ning, do you think we weren't recognized?"
Since yesterday, Ye Tong had been on edge. Although they had worn makeup so thick yesterday that even ghosts couldn't recognize them, someone with sharp eyes might still have identified them.
To avoid trouble, Ye Tong, like an ostrich, turned off both her and Ji Ning's phones.
It was only now that she nervously turned it back on.
Originally, she expected Li Tao's inquiry messages, but it was all calm, with not even a spam message.
Could it be that no one recognized their identities?
Ye Tong looked at Ji Ning worriedly, only to see her sipping a hot tea like an old man in the village, with study materials Bai Xiaotang left her not far off, occasionally turning a page with the other hand.
Ji Ning was not used to using Bai Xiaotang's Smart Brain for studying and always preferred flipping through heavy books.
Ye Tong secretly sighed in her heart: Sister Ning really is carefree.
"I didn't even take my pouch with me, could it be..."
Before she finished speaking, a familiar pouch appeared, taken from behind Ji Ning.
"Wow, Sister Ning, when did you grab it?" Ye Tong ran over joyfully, examining her pouch from every angle.
She clearly remembered leaving the pouch on a bench outside the crew area, which was some distance from the shooting location.
Did they pass by the bench while fleeing yesterday?
Ye Tong tried hard to recall.
Finally, she looked at Ji Ning with admiration in her eyes: "Sister Ning, you're so fast. The entrance exam will definitely be no problem."
Ji Ning glanced at her, letting out a single "Hmm."
This reassured Ye Tong, who then put on her pouch, ready to head out and buy ribs to reward the omnipotent Sister Ning.
"Buzz buzz buzz—"
The previously silent phone suddenly vibrated.
The screen displayed two words: Brother Tao.
Those words were like firecrackers thrown at Ye Tong's feet, startling her so much she almost jumped, and with a "thud" the phone fell to the ground.
"Sis...Sister Ning...what should we do? Brother Tao is calling. We're doomed; we've been found out. Even if I sell myself, I can't afford this..."
Ji Ning looked at Ye Tong, who was clearly panicking, calmly put down her cup, and extended her hand, "Hand it over."
Ye Tong, as if she was getting rid of a hot potato, quickly handed the phone to Ji Ning and retreated quickly, as if the farther she stayed from the phone, the safer she would be.
Ji Ning chuckled, pressed the answer button and the speakerphone, and they immediately heard Li Tao's concerned voice:
"Xiao Tong, why didn't you come today? Are you feeling unwell again?"
Ye Tong was stunned, seeing Ji Ning raise her eyebrows at her, hesitantly moving closer.
"Hello? Xiao Tong? Why can't I hear your voice? Is the signal bad?"
Ye Tong's anxious heart settled down immediately. She took the phone and clutched her chest, suddenly in character, "Cough, cough... Brother Tao, I have a bit of a cold. I'll be fine tomorrow...cough, cough, cough..."
Sister Ning was amazed by how quickly she changed her demeanor.
"Then take good care of yourself, and take a few more days off."
Hearing this, Ye Tong's expression turned serious, "Brother Tao, did something happen?"
Mentioning this, Li Tao couldn't suppress his anger, "Don't even mention it. Yesterday someone kicked someone else, and caused the film city's wall to collapse. They're looking for the culprit everywhere right now. Several crews have halted production..."
Ye Tong suddenly felt guilty, looking elsewhere and sneaking a glance at the so-called "culprit" Ji Ning.
Seeing her unflustered expression, Ye Tong whispered, "Huh? It was fine when we left yesterday, how did it suddenly collapse? Didn't the security cameras catch anything?"
"The cameras didn't catch anything, which is why they can't find the person. No one knows why, but several cameras malfunctioned yesterday, like they were possessed..."
With that, Ye Tong was completely at ease, her face lightening up, "That's really unlucky. If they can't find the culprit, who will pay for the collapsed wall?"
"It would definitely be the bastard who crashed the wall, the one who got into a fight with someone."
Ye Tong almost burst into laughter, struggling to keep her composure as she asked, "To crash a wall, that person must be pretty strong physically, huh?"
"Strong my ass, that guy broke three ribs and might be in the hospital for months. Don't talk about him anymore; it gives me a headache..."
Realizing this, Ye Tong felt guilty again, said a few comforting words, and hung up the phone.
"Sister Ning..."
"What? Do you want to end up in the hospital?" Ji Ning gave her a sideways glance.
Ye Tong immediately shook her head.
"Not buying meat anymore?"
"I'll go...I'll go right away."
***
In the evening, Bai Xiaotang returned from school with some not-so-great news.
"Sister Ning, I heard that the special exam test papers this time were personally made by our school's 'Master Extinction', and they're extraordinarily difficult."
"Why's that?" Ye Tong looked worried.
Bai Xiaotang's eyes seemed to dodge the question, clearly something was up, "It's just that..."
"'Drifters' who rely on back doors to get into school are naturally going to be noticed," Lin Yuanyang, who stood behind Bai Xiaotang, adjusted his glasses coldly, then shoved the bag he was holding into Bai Xiaotang's hands and turned to leave.
Bai Xiaotang blushed, slightly annoyed, glaring at Lin Yuanyang, "Sister Ning, it's not like that. It's just...well...the exam system has changed."
Bai Xiaotang was really not good at lying. Ji Ning merely let out a "hmm", her expression unchanged, focusing on her book.
After a while, Bai Xiaotang moved slowly like a kitten to her side, softly saying, "Sister Ning...I didn't say anything at school..."
"Hmm."
"It's all just rumors."
"Hmm."
Those who could go to Anhe High School had to be people from this community.
Seeing Bai Xiaotang's guilty face, Ye Tong stepped in to mediate, "Sister Ning, even if the academic scores aren't high, your physical exam will surely be fine. Sister Ning has practiced martial arts and is especially skilled."
What school wouldn't want a student with a high-level physique?
Based on Sister Ning's combat power from yesterday, she could definitely take down Anhe Middle School.
Ye Tong looked at Ji Ning with eyes full of admiration.
Bai Xiaotang, unaware of what happened yesterday, looked guilty once more, "Sister Ning, I could ask my brother..."
"No need," Ji Ning interrupted, turning a page calmly, "I will pass the exam."
If some people don't want her in the school, then she would have to "cooperate" fully.
"Yes, Tangtang, don't worry, Sister Ning's physique is even stronger than mine. I think at least A-level. Anhe High School can't possibly reject Sister Ning."
"A...A-level?" Bai Xiaotang was shocked, looking at Ji Ning incredulously, her eyes growing brighter with the same admiration as Ye Tong's, "Sister Ning...is it true? You're amazing."
Ji Ning reacted quickly, put down her cup, and stepped aside, but there was still Ye Tong eyeing her hungrily nearby.
Ultimately, she resignedly offered up her arms, looking up to the ceiling...