Empress Of The Lost Kingdom

Five years ago, Jing University,

Zhang Zhi Jun roamed within the vast boundaries of Jing university.

While walking across the huge university buildings, his tall stature and stunning visuals have gained the attention from the passerby. He came to Jing university for shooting his debut movie. When he got a break from the schedule, Zhang Zhi Jun decided to take a university tour. The Jing university was one of the best universities in C country, like every other student in the country, Zhang Zhi Jun also wanted to study at Jing university. However, he was obliged to choose the university where his father and uncles studied once. 

Zhang Zhi Jun pulled up his hoodie and wore a baseball cap to avoid unnecessary attention. Even before becoming an actor, he used to get glances from people, no matter wherever he goes. 

While he was interning in the last year of MBA programme, he got scouted by an agent from an entertainment agency in Jing City. He never planned to become an actor. However due to his peer pressure and curiosity he decided to join the agency. But as soon as he became a trainee, his talent and visuals quickly helped him to secure the role of one of the male leads in a movie directed by one of the famous directors in C country.

Usually, if the shooting takes place in outdoor units like educational institutions, most of the actors stay with the shooting team in order to avoid unnecessary public interaction. However, Zhang Zhi Jun was an exception. Since he was a beginner with no name, he was allowed to roam around the campus, enjoying his last days of freedom as a commoner. 

Zhang Zhi Jun was on the way to the archaeology department when he crashed into a girl.

The one who crashed into him fell on to the ground and the books she carried in her hands, scattered around.

"Hey, are you alright?" He helped the girl who tripped over.

Her Jet black shaggy hair was covering her face, she roughly brushed them away with her slender fingers.

"Yes, I am sorry." She replied in a hurried voice and immediately began to pick up her things from the ground.

"I am sorry," she repeatedly apologized.

Zhang Zhi Jun kneeled and helped to pick her things. 

"How many books did she carry?" He wondered and glanced at the girl who frantically picking the books. 

"Shaggy hair, brown sweater, a plain white shirt and washed jeans and a big black-rimmed glass."

A classical example of a nerd.

"Are you sure you are alright?"

"Yes," she replied and tied her wavy hair into a quick high bun. 

Zhang Zhi Jun's eyes caught the attention of her big black eyes and dusky skin tone.

Why she looks so familiar?

"But your glass broke." He pointed out the broken lens of her glass.

"No, it is okay. I need to go, I have class. The girl tried to speed away.

"At least tell me, your name, I will get you a replacement." He called out from behind.

"No, it is okay." The girl bowed and ran away towards the archaeology department.

"Zhang Zhi Jun, you are here, the director is looking for you", His manager, Bing Wen, his manager said while gasping for breath. He was searching for Zhang Zhi Jun, all over the university. 

"Sorry brother, I got lost" Zhang Zhi Jun immediately apologised 

"At least, attend the call, how many times did I call you?" Bing Wen scolded him.

"I am sorry,"

"Let's go" Bing Wen grabbed Zhang Zhi Jun's arm and dragged him towards the shooting spot.

"Yeah sure," Zhang Zhi Jun glanced back at the direction of archaeology department and hurried to the shooting spot.

Once he was done shooting his scenes, Zhang Zhi Jun walked towards the archaeology department. He wanted to search for the girl and compensate for her glasses.

Zhang Zhi Jun walked into the silent corridors of the archaeology department. It was the break time and yet, the corridors remained empty without any students.

"Are they having a holiday or what?" He wondered.

After walking for a while, Zhang Zhi Jun saw a girl in the far end of the corridor.

"Excuse me, can you help me?" Zhang Zhi Jun initiated a conversation with the girl." I am looking for a student."

"Yes sure," The girl stroked her hair and tried to tidy up when she noticed that the stranger is an "eye-candy".

"May I know the student's name or class?"

"Actually, I don't know." Zhang Zhi Jun said with an apologetic smile.

"Ah, it's alright, we only have a limited number of students in our department, I will help you," She replied with a cheerful voice. 

"It was a girl and I accidentally broke her glass." 

"A girl with a glass!" The girl repeated his line in surprise.

"Yes, she is quite different from," Zhang Zhi Jun tried to describe the girl's features. 

"There is only one girl in the archaeology department who wears glasses; it must be Li Juan from the second year." She jokingly declared.

"Li Juan?" Zhang Zhi Jun appeared clueless.

"Yes, Does she have dark skin?" The girl asked for specific details about the person whom he is looking for.

"Yes."

"Does she have shaggy unkempt hair and big eyes?"

"Yes,"

"Bingo, that's Li Juan." The girl smiled victoriously "Her weird style is quite popular. I will show you her class," She suggested.

"Yeah, sure." He agreed without any hesitation.

"Oh, I forgot she might not be in the class right now, she will be in the library." The girl informed him and corrected herself.

"You know, she is quite competitive to maintain the title" 

"Title?" a visible puzzled look popped up on Zhang Zhi Jun's face.

"Yes, the Ace of the archaeology department. She is the only student in the history of the archaeology department, who got full marks in every exam. An all kill."

"That is quite an achievement." Zhang Zhi Jun couldn't help but not to appreciate.

"You are from which department; let me guess you are from the arts?" She inquired.

"I am from a business school."

"Oh International programme, That's why you are not aware of her."

"I know nothing about her, I am not even from this university," Zhang Zhi Jun wanted to tell the girl who is over-enthusiastic about helping him.

"Which year?"

"Final year."

"Oh, you must be leaving this year then, it is bad that we only met know." The girl said with a sad tone. "I am Cai Hong, final year grad student in the Archeology department." She introduced herself.

"Zhang Zhi Jun," He shook hands with her.

Cai Hong led him to the departmental library on the second floor.

"There she is," Even before entering into the library, Cai Hong pointed towards a lonely corner.

Zhang Zhi Jun followed her glance and found a girl who has immersed herself into a thick book. A smile bloomed in his face.

"Hey Cai Hong, can I ask a favour from you?" Zhang Zhi Jun asked the girl who stood next to him.

"What is it?"

Zhang Zhi Jun took an envelope from his jacket.

"Can you give this to her?"

"Huh?" Cai Hong got confused for a moment.

"What is this? Love letter? Are you trying to hit on Li Juan?" Cai Hong threw questions at Zhang Zhi Jun who appeared silent.

"She will not shoo you away, you can go ahead," Cai Hong said with a sly smile.

"No, it is not like that." He tried to deny. 

"Aye, everyone says the same thing,"

"Everyone?"

"There is a huge list of people who are trying to woo her. I think you are the most handsome among them. So she might give you a chance."

"I crashed into her in the morning, I just want to say sorry." He explained his purpose of visit before Cai Hong tried to come up with more stories.

" I don't have my college ID, so please, give this to her."

"Yeah, alright," Cai Hong agreed and took the envelope from him.

"Thank you so much,"

"Hmm, ah in case you are planning to chase her in future," Cai Hong added, "Li Juan has a soft spot for singers." She paused and examined him.

"Do you sing?"

"Huh," Zhang Zhi Jun scratched his chin." No, I don't sing."

"Oh that's bad, she really likes people who sing. Zhang Zhi Jun, you even got a gorgeous voice, better start singing,"

Zhang Zhi Jun smiled and nodded in agreement.

"Okay, then I will give this to her," Cai Hong waved her hand and walked towards Li Juan.

Zhang Zhi Jun looked at the girl who was almost succumbed to the book which kept in front of her. 

"Li Juan, the ace of the archaeological department, get yourself a nice pair of glasses." He mumbled and turned to leave.

"Li Juan," Cai Hong called her in a low voice. 

"Good afternoon, senior Cai" Li Juan immediately bowed to show her respect.

"Ah sit, sit," Cai Hong took a seat next to her, "Li Juan, some handsome guy gave this for you."

Li Juan looked at the girl and the envelope. 

"He wanted to personally hand it over for you, but he forgot his ID."

Li Juan took the envelope from Cai Hong and kept it inside her book.

"You are not opening it?"

"It must be another love note," Li Juan said casually.

"No, he is not trying to woo you," 

"Huh?" 

"Just open it," Cai Hong encouraged her to open the envelope.

Li Juan opened the hesitantly opened the envelope and found some cash and a note. She took the note and read it.

"Sorry for the glasses"

Li Juan immediately remembered the boy whom she crashed in the morning. She was late for the class, that's why she ran away from him without an explanation. But did I refused him when he mentioned about compensation? Li Juan was confused for a moment. But he gave money for the glasses.

"Where is he?" Li Juan asked Cai Hong.

"He is standing outside."

Li Juan closed the book and dashed towards the corridor. But surprisingly the corridor was empty. 

"What happened?" Cai Hong who followed Li Juan asked her.

"Senior Cai, do you know that guy?"Her face had a serious expression.

"He said that he is from the business school, the final year. What's wrong?"

Li Juan showed her envelope. Cai Hong took a look at the envelope.

"Did he give you money?" Her eyes widened when she found what is inside the envelope.

"Ah, he said that he broke your glasses and he wanted to say sorry." Cai Hong remembered Zhang Zhi Jun's words

"Damn, his sorry is quite heavy,"

"Senior Cai, are you free now?" Li Juan asked her senior. "Can you come with me to business school?"

"You are going to return this?"

"Yes," Li Juan said in a determined tone. "I cannot accept this,"

----------------------

"What are you saying? How can I bring you to my house?" Li Juan frowned at Zhang Zhi Jun who is demanding to tag along. From the moment they landed in Jing City has been acting like an overprotective boyfriend.

"You heard grandpa, I am supposed to be your guardian. I am going to follow you wherever you go." Zhang Zhi Jun declared with a grin.

"Are you crazy?" Li Juan couldn't believe what she has been witnessing for the past few minutes.

"It is an order from grandpa. Do you want to confirm it with him?" He asked(threatened) her by taking his cell phone and pretend to call Bai Qi.

"Fine," Li Juan sighed and took her bag."Let's go,"

Zhang Zhi Jun's manager, Bing Wen was already waiting for them at the airport wearing his disguise. Last night, he has been informed that Zhang Zhi Jun, who went to his home for a break, is returning to Jing city with his cousin. Though he is not familiar with Zhang Zhi Jun's family, he had seen them in photographs.

Bing Wen walked towards the familiar silhouette of Zhang Zhi Jun and greeted him.

"Where is your cousin?"

Zhang Zhi Jun pointed towards the girl walking behind him. Li Juan slightly bowed to show her respects.

"Zhi Jun, this girl?" Bing Wen's eyes widened in shock, he clearly remembered her.

"She is my girlfriend." Zhang Zhi Jun opened the door for Li Juan.

"What?" Li Juan and Bing Wen asked at once.

"I will explain it later, you get inside." Zhang Zhi Jun adjusted his face mask and pushed Li Juan into the car.

"What do you mean by your girlfriend?"