Huayu: I really am a genuine top star.

Chapter 67 There are no shortcuts, only relentless struggle.

A commotion broke out in the classroom. Everyone started looking for partners.

Xiao Zhao immediately looked at Shen Li, her eyes filled with expectation. Shen Li pretended not to see her and walked directly to Jiang Li's side: "Coach Jiang, about us?"

Jiang Li nodded.

Xiao Zhao's smile froze for a moment, then she turned around and found another boy to partner with as if nothing had happened. The boy was flattered and blushed.

Shen Li chuckled inwardly. Sister Xiao Zhao, your "fish-raising" skills won't work on me.

Teacher Du began demonstrating the basic movements of a duet. Lifting, pulling, shifting weight... the movements were graceful and elegant, like two graceful swans entwining their necks.

He demonstrated with a female teaching assistant, placing his palms on her waist, back, and shoulder blades... every point of contact was precise and professional, without a trace of distraction.

It was the students' turn to practice.

Shen Li and Jiang Li stood facing each other. Jiang Li was wearing a black, tight-fitting dance outfit, and his powerful muscle lines were particularly clear under the lights.

Her full, perky chest was tightly wrapped in fabric, her abs were faintly visible, and her thigh muscles were smooth and firm.

"I'll ask you for help first."

"Jiang Li said. She placed her hands on Shen Li's waist, her palms warm and her grip firm. Following Teacher Du's demonstration, Shen Li leaned back slightly, shifting her weight to Jiang Li.

Jiang Li's arm held him firmly, without moving an inch. That core strength, that stability, was simply amazing.

"It's your turn," Jiang Li said.

Shen Li took a deep breath and placed her hands on Jiang Li's waist.

Even through the thin layer of her workout clothes, you could clearly feel the firmness and warmth of her waist muscles.

The lines of the external oblique muscles are faintly visible under the fingertips, demonstrating the remarkable stability of the core area.

He lifted her upwards with force. Jiang Li leaped lightly into the air, her body tracing a graceful arc before landing steadily. Her movements were as light as a black swan.

"Not bad." Jiang Li rarely gave a compliment.

"Tighten your core a bit more. When lifting, the power should originate from your feet, pass through your waist and abdomen, and then reach your arms. You were only using your arms just now, so it was a bit wobbly."

Shen Li listened attentively and tried again. This time it was much better.

The two became increasingly coordinated. Lifting, pulling, shifting weight... their movements flowed smoothly and effortlessly.

Jiang Li's body was as light as a feather in his hands, and every movement was precise and accurate.

The powerful muscle lines stretch and contract during movement, creating a rhythmic beauty.

Shen Li had to admit that she really learned a lot from acting alongside Jiang Li.

She's straightforward and unpretentious; every piece of guidance she gives is precise and to the point. With her, you don't need to guess what she's thinking or guard against any "gentle traps"; you can simply focus on her professional work.

This is what a proper partnership should be like.

The group next to Jingyang and Li Fei fared much worse. Jingyang tried to lift Li Fei, but his core wasn't properly engaged, and he wobbled first.

Although Li Fei is tall, she has a small frame and was almost knocked off by the shaking. She grabbed Jing Yang's shoulder in a panic.

"Jingyang! Hold on!" Li Fei was unusually anxious.

"I...I'm trying!" Jing Yang's face turned bright red, and his arms were trembling.

Teacher Du walked over, looked at him, and shook his head: "Your core isn't engaged. The power isn't coming from your feet. Jingyang, were you using chest breathing again just now?"

Jing Yang looked ashamed.

Teacher Du reached out and pressed on Jingyang's abdomen: "Inhale, push your abdomen up. Exhale, keep your abdomen tight, don't relax. Okay, one more time."

Jing Yang gritted his teeth and, following Teacher Du's instructions, lifted her up again. This time it was much more stable. Li Fei was lifted steadily, a hint of surprise flashing in her eyes.

"Good. Remember this feeling." Teacher Du nodded and turned to look at the other groups.

Shen Li watched with schadenfreude. "Young Master Jing, you've finally met your match."

Two physical education classes are held consecutively, with a ten-minute break in between.

Shen Li collapsed on the floor, feeling that the physical exertion from lifting Jiang Li was even more intense than morning exercises. Her arms ached so much she could barely lift them, and her core area was unbearably sore and swollen.

Jiang Li handed him a bottle of water: "Your physical fitness is still too poor. You need to practice more."

Shen Li took the water and gulped down half the bottle: "Coach Jiang, did you get this stamina from dancing?"

"Hmm." Jiang Li sat on the ground with his legs straight and leaned forward to press his legs down.

The tight-fitting dance costume stretched even tighter because of this movement, making the round, perky curves of her buttocks more pronounced, and the muscles on the back of her thighs flowed smoothly and beautifully. "I've been practicing since I was little. I'm used to it."

Looking at her powerful yet beautifully sculpted figure, Shen Li silently encouraged himself. Train! Keep training! Sooner or later, he'll have that kind of stamina too!

During her break, Shen Li took out her phone and opened the "Film City Extras Daily Pay Group 1" to continue her vigil.

As soon as I clicked in, I saw a new announcement:

"Tomorrow morning, a modern drama scene, we need 3 male extras to play gym instructors. Requirements: good physique, muscular, able to wear a tight tank top. Daily pay 200 RMB, lunch included. Submit a shirtless photo to apply."

The area below instantly exploded.

"1! Brother Chen! Old Zhang! I have chest muscles and abs!"

"1. Information will be sent privately. Fitness instructor major is a perfect match."

"Pick me! Pick me! My body fat percentage is 12%!"

Shen Li looked at her still "developing" body and silently left the group chat.

Damn, a gym instructor? With his current skinny frame, he looks like a noodle in a tight tank top. How could he possibly sign up?

"Fang Ying is right, my muscle mass is indeed insufficient." He sighed and sent Xiong Rui a WeChat message: "Brother Xiong, can we increase the intensity of our morning exercises tomorrow?"

Xiong Rui replied instantly: "??? Are you crazy?"

Shen Li replied, "I'm not crazy. I want to build muscle quickly."

Xiong Rui was silent for a few seconds, then replied: "Okay. Tomorrow, we'll increase the 5km to 8km. Two more sets of core strength training. Double the flexibility training time. Are you sure?"

Shen Li stared at the message, her finger hovering over the screen for a long time before she gritted her teeth and replied with a single word: "Confirmed."

After sending the message, he threw his phone down, collapsed on the floor, stared at the ceiling, and felt like his life was about to enter hell mode.

But there's no other way. If you want to make it in the film industry, if you want to get those gigs that require a "good physique," if you want to climb the ladder to becoming an extra, a good physique is the only currency. There are no shortcuts; you can only work your way up.

The second half of the class continued. Teacher Du taught a more complex duet dance combination.

Shen Li and Jiang Li are working together more and more seamlessly, and Jing Yang and Li Fei are also getting into the swing of things.

Other groups had good teamwork, while others were a complete disaster. The entire dance studio was filled with sweat, panting, and Teacher Du's occasional comments.

When the bell rang, Shen Li felt like she was about to fall apart.

As they left the dance studio, Song Qian caught up with them: "Shen Li! When are you going to take those 'LiLi Run' promotional photos? I'm free this afternoon!"

Shen Li thought for a moment: "This afternoon? I'll ask Jing Yang to come, and we'll take pictures on the playground. The lighting will be better there."

"Sure!" Song Qian readily agreed. "By the way, Yun Yiyi will come too. Her vocal coach also needs promotional photos."

Shen Li looked at Yun Yiyi. The latter still had that aloof expression, but nodded.