1980: A Max-Level Master Speedruns the Arts World

In 1980, on his way to the college entrance exams, Cheng Zhi saved a beautiful girl from drowning and had a long, vivid dream.

In the dream, he was a literary genius whose books sold millions of copies, the youngest winner of the Palme d’Or, a director whose films grossed tens of billions, and an associate professor in the Literature Department at Beijing Film Academy…

When the dream faded, he was still the same country boy with no parents, living with his aunt.

His family had just spent all their savings on his hospitalization, so he had failed the college entrance exams. Even the childhood engagement arranged for him had suddenly run into trouble…

At first, all he wanted was to copy a few books to earn some money, eat meat and drink milk to build up his health, improve his family’s circumstances, and, while he was at it, reach the top of the arts and literary world and be crowned king!

But before the young man’s high spirits and ambitions could come to fruition, he was drowned in a sea of women treating him to an easy life.

The beautiful older sister who danced in the city said gently, “Your big sister has money. I’ll send you ten yuan a month to support you through college.”

His aloof, taciturn fiancée silently took his hand and said coolly, “A real man shouldn’t lose himself in a life of comfort. Get into Peking University, and I’ll marry you.”

The young girl beside him was so anxious she stamped her feet. Bracing herself, she blurted out, “Don’t listen to them! If it comes to it, I’ll steal vegetables to support you!”