Chapter 95

Xu Heran had quite a bit of screen time. While she appeared carefree on the surface, she was focused behind the scenes. She went through the script again and again, practiced lines and movements with Xin Nuo. Due to her unique eye color, she had to wear colored contacts every day for shooting. In Xu Heran’s words, it felt like she was putting a film on her eyes every day.

Director Liu was open-minded during the filming of variety shows. His personality carried over into the shoot. He was a very accommodating director who encouraged actors to explore their characters and express themselves. He allowed Xu Heran to fully perform.

Yet Xu Heran couldn’t fake being polite. Both on and off-screen, she played around, attracting attention like a cat teasing a dog. Everyone went from cheerfully welcoming “Little Pearl” at the beginning to later exclaiming “Little Pearl’s here again!”

On the day Xu Heran finished filming, a group of people teary-eyed, almost wanting to set off fireworks to bid her farewell.

“As for why, everyone likes me so much?” Xu Heran knowingly asked, leaning against Xin Nuo. “Since everyone can’t bear to see me go, should I stay a couple more days since I haven’t started school yet?”

Xin Nuo’s waist felt sore, and she pretended to be composed, asking, “Aren’t you going to film a variety show with Laurel?”

Xu Heran sighed. “I don’t want to leave Sister. I’ve been so happy this past month. Every day, I imagine the days when the two of us will live together in the future.”

Xin Nuo: “…”

She smiled slightly, raising her hand to caress Xu Heran’s cheek. “Hmm, then we need to work even harder.”

No, she can’t indulge her like this. If this continues… If this continues, she won’t hold up much longer.

Xin Nuo sighed inwardly. She saw Xu Heran off in the car, a hidden glint in her eyes.

She needed to find a chance to let Xu Heran know how difficult things were for her, so she wouldn’t act like a perpetually discontented black hole. Subconsciously, Xin Nuo rubbed her waist and frowned slightly.

But is it only a two-year age difference? How can there be such a huge difference in energy?

Xu Heran, aren’t you tired?

The car drove out of the film and television city, Xu Heran withdrew her gaze and said to her assistant, “I feel like Nuo Nuo is hiding something from me.”

The assistant, not looking up, responded, “Hmm.”

“And don’t you think Nuo Nuo’s smile was a bit strange before leaving?” Xu Heran touched her chin as she spoke.

“Hmm.”

“Could she be considering proposing to me?”

“Hmm… hmm?”

The assistant’s head snapped around, meeting Xu Heran’s radiant smile with widened eyes.

“Just kidding.”

“…Don’t make jokes like this, it’ll kill your assistant.” The assistant let out a breath.

Xu Heran squinted. “Then consider this me giving you a preventive shot.”

The assistant immediately shrugged. “Thank you.”

“Hmph.”

Xu Heran leaned back, picked up her phone, thought for a moment, but didn’t send a message to Xin Nuo. After wrapping up her filming, she was off to participate in variety shows, while Xin Nuo would continue shooting at the film and television base. Their current efforts were all geared towards getting closer to the future.

Yet, just this thought softened Xu Heran’s heart. She took out the script for the new variety show from her bag and planned to go through it again.

For the future!

Two days later, just after finishing her scenes, Xin Nuo received a message from Xu Heran.

“I think I can’t… Little Pearl Hemorrhaging.jpg”

“This world is so scary, why do such terrifying creatures like children exist? I can’t handle it QAQ.”

“Help—help me!”

Xin Nuo: “…What’s wrong?”

“It’s too terrifying, Nuo Nuo. We absolutely shouldn’t have children in the future, it’s just too scary!”

Xin Nuo: “…”

Huh?

The next morning, as Xin Nuo was getting ready to go to set, her phone chimed.

“Hehe, I take back what I said last night. Kids are actually quite cute. I think we can have two!”

Xin Nuo: “…”

At noon, as Xin Nuo was getting ready to have lunch, she picked up her phone and found a pile of messages waiting for her.

“Ah ah ah, I was such a fool this morning!”

“These brats are really terrifying!”

“Why is there a toddler phase? Why can’t humans just be born big? It’s too scary!”

“Little Pearl roaring.jpg”

“Little Pearl flipping the table.jpg”

“Little Pearl destroying the world, Little Pearl clutching her chest and falling down, Little Pearl disillusioned with life, Little Pearl crying inconsolably…”

“Pfft.” Xin Nuo covered her mouth.

The staff nearby looked at Xin Nuo in surprise. Seeing her lowered head and gentle expression, they were puzzled.

“Our Little Pearl is suffering.”

“That must be really tough.”

Xu Heran was squatting on the steps, wiping her tears, while Laurel sat next to her, leaning against the door frame, with a deadpan expression, devoid of joy.

“Does Sister Cui have a grudge against us, so she threw me here?” Laurel’s voice sounded weak.

“I, didn’t, offend, Sister Cui.”

Xu Heran covered her head. “It’s all my fault, it’s all my fault. I regret my past ignorance!”

Laurel’s chest heaved, and she chuckled expressionlessly a “hehehe” laugh.

The staff smiled and brought them water.

“Take your time, this group of ancestors has just fallen asleep.” Xu Heran whispered.

She leaned to the right against the door frame, holding her phone, and let out a deep sigh.

Laurel and her were thrown into this variety show called “Hello Baby.” They had to take care of a group of three to four-year-old children, a whole group of them.

Initially, Xu Heran thought she could handle this number, but after two days, she felt like she couldn’t handle even one of them!

It was too terrifying!

Why were there kids chasing after her, asking why tadpoles look for mom but not dad, why were there kids arguing about whether wolves eat grass, why did elves grow in the grass and not get eaten?

Why are they so good at crying?

Thirsty and they cry, water’s a little hot and they cry, can’t get a toy and they cry, played with a toy for too long and they cry when they have to let others play with it…

Xu Heran said to Laurel, “I definitely wasn’t like this when I was a kid!”

Laurel nodded slowly. “I wasn’t either.”

The staff smiled and said, “But they’re still very cute, aren’t they?”

The two fell into silence.

Laurel opened her phone.

A loving family.

Emperor Hua: “I’ve decided, no marriage, no children.”

Jiang Qiong: “Huh?”

“What’s wrong?”

“Hmm?”

With just one sentence, Laurel set off a commotion.

“Kids are too scary, I can’t.”

“But there are so many good babies, well-behaved children are still very lovable,” Lin Weining said.

Laurel: “Silence.”

Jiang Qiong: “So do you all know why I changed the group name to this?”

“During the New Year, my nephew came to my house. He snatched my toys, ate my snacks, and even took my phone to play games and wouldn’t let go. The kicker is that his mother even asked me to babysit for her! I complained about it in the group, but it ended up in the family group, and all my relatives saw it. Hehe… QAQ”

SGS’s previous group name was “A Happy and Joyful Family.”

Everyone burst into laughter, sympathizing with Jiang Qiong’s ordeal.

Lin Weining chuckled. “Our babies at home are all well-behaved. I quite like them.”

“Yeah, Ning Ning’s family is full of good babies,” Haya said.

Jian Yueyin: “Ning Ning has a gentle temperament. If she has a baby, would it be a little Weining?”

Haya: “OVO.”

Lin Weining: “…I haven’t even thought about such things!”

“I bet Ning Ning’s face is really red right now!” Xu Heran said.

“Add one!” Jiang Qiong immediately chimed in.

Haya sent a voice message. “Not just red, right?”

Lin Weining: “Hmph!”

“Why suddenly discussing whether I’m blushing or not!”

She asked, “Do you all plan to have babies in the future?”

There was a moment of silence in the group.

Laurel: “No!”

Haya: “Hahaha.”

Jiang Qiong: “This isn’t a question 18-year-old me should be considering.”

Jian Yueyin: “My songs are my children.”

Jiang Qiong immediately added, “Right, your songs still earn you money. Where can you find such obedient babies?”

Song Fenghua: “…Never thought about it.”

Xu Heran: “Hehe, well, of course, it depends on what our Nuo Nuo wants, right? Everyone understands, don’t they?”

Everyone: “…”

“Where’s the group owner? Group owner, kick this person out of the chat!”

Laurel, who was enjoying some cool air, coldly eyed the girl who was smiling mischievously beside her. At that moment, cries for ‘mom’ suddenly came from inside the room.

“You go!” Laurel quickly said.

Xu Heran refused. “You go!” 

Both of them extended their hands for rock-paper-scissors.

“Go!” Laurel raised her chin.

Grumpily, Xu Heran put down her phone and went into the room to comfort the child.

“Ah.” Laurel sighed.

When will this day ever end?

Three days later, after the variety show recording ended, a group of kids with cute faces handed them drawings they had drawn themselves and gifts made of clay, which, though oddly shaped, were full of heartfelt meaning. Once again, their hearts turned soft.

Children, children are still quite nice.

After returning to school, Xu Heran received a message from Xin Nuo.

“I’m going to the capital next week.”

Xu Heran’s eyes lit up, and she immediately made a video call. In the next second, Xin Nuo’s face appeared on the screen. The girl with black hair smiled at her, then placed the phone on the table, letting Xu Heran see the ceiling.

Xu Heran: “…”

“Is this the attitude someone in a passionate relationship should have?” Xu Heran complained displeasedly. “I demand to see my girlfriend’s face!”

“I’m removing makeup,” Xin Nuo whispered. “You’ll have to bear with it for a moment.”

“A day without Nuo Nuo is unbearable!”

Xin Nuo: “…”

“I’m about to hang up.”

Xu Heran chuckled. “My bad. Tell me, am I thinking too much? Are you coming to the capital to see me?”

“Well, you can interpret it that way.” Xin Nuo’s face was covered in white foam as she rubbed her face and spoke with a cute voice. “And also to attend the Golden Deer Awards ceremony.”

What awards?

Xu Heran tilted her head, sounding innocent, “Did they invite me?”

Xin Nuo was nearly dying from laughter caused by her beloved girlfriend. She washed off the foam from her face, lifted her phone, and kissed Xu Heran’s face through the screen. “You can ask Sister Cui.”

“Okay.”

Seeing Xin Nuo put down her phone to apply a face mask, Xu Heran quickly went to find Cui Qi.

“Sister Cui, about that Golden Deer Award, can I also attend?”

Cui Qi replied quickly.

“Why do you want to go? Crashing the red carpet?”

“Nuo Nuo is nominated for Best Supporting Actress and Best Newcomer at the Golden Deer Film Awards. How about you?”

Film awards…

Xu Heran returned disappointed.

“Sigh, actually, I could thicken my skin a bit.” She whispered softly.

Xin Nuo looked at her with a smile. “Please don’t embarrass yourself like that, sweetheart.”

She called her sweetheart.

She must be missing me.

Xu Heran thought happily and smiled. “Okay, then I’ll wait for you after the awards. Did you like the room from last time? Or would you like to change it?”

Xin Nuo’s fingers, in the midst of patting her face, paused.

“I think you’ll definitely win an award. Let’s celebrate properly!”

Please suggest a different way to celebrate.

Thinking about the hotel room that was named the ‘dangerous room,’ Xin Nuo took a deep breath.

“After the awards, I’ll probably have dinner with the rest of the crew. If the film wins an award, we might have some drinks. After that, we might not feel like leaving, so the crew might stay at the hotel. I’ll leave depending on the situation.”

“I see.”

“Then I’ll go ahead and book the hotel room for your gathering.” Xu Heran said with a smile, leaving for a moment. Xin Nuo looked at her phone with a puzzled expression.

“All set!”

“What did you do?”

Xu Heran said happily, “I went to talk to Director Li and discussed it with him. We’ve decided to book the hotel room at Sister Rong’s place. After all, it’ll be reimbursed by the company.”

Xin Nuo: “…………”

“Let’s meet at our usual spot!”

Xin Nuo: “…………..”

“You really make me speechless.” Xin Nuo sighed helplessly.

Xu Heran laughed. “I promise I’ll be moderate, okay?”

Xin Nuo gave her a sideways look. “Really?”

“Cross my heart!” Xu Heran raised four fingers.

“Alright, I believe you have that thing.” Xin Nuo chuckled, leaning against the headboard. The two spoke softly.

Two days ago, after Xin Nuo finished her scenes, she returned to the forest villa. Xu Heran recognized her pillow at a glance and asked with a smile, “Is everyone here?”

“Fenghua went to help the school teacher’s dance troupe. Haya went back to her hometown and will return the day after tomorrow. The others are all on schedules. Oh, right, Yueyin is on the rooftop terrace.” Xin Nuo looked up and smiled. “She’s probably writing songs.”

Xu Heran’s eyes lit up. She propped her chin up and slowly sat up.

“Well, since that’s the case… is your door locked?”

“Locked… huh?” Xin Nuo instantly became cautious, looking at Xu Heran. “What are you planning?”

Xu Heran put on an innocent expression, “Oh, nothing. I just… wanted to try something different with my sister.”

“Sister, do you miss me?”

“I’ve put away the things from last time after charging them. Do you remember where they are?”

Xin Nuo: “……”

“Come on.”

“Hmph.”

In mid-September, the Golden Deer Film Awards Ceremony was held in the capital city. The event aimed to recognize outstanding filmmakers and films from the previous year. It was one of the highly regarded film awards in Huacheng.

The night was lit with stars, and numerous film celebrities walked the red carpet, displaying beautiful smiles.

When Xin Nuo got out of the car, the flashing lights and cheers didn’t seem to stop. Especially her fans, some were so excited they were on the verge of tears. Xin Nuo walked the red carpet with the cast of “Wind and Forest Echoes.” During an interview, the host smiled and asked, “This is the first time Nuo Nuo has appeared in front of everyone since the last incident. Do you have anything you want to say to everyone?”

Xin Nuo smiled gently, her tone warm, “Thank you all for your concern and support. I’m doing well, Fenghua is also doing well. Please don’t worry about us.”

Another host deliberately asked in a puzzled tone, “Oh, our hero didn’t come today?”

Laughter filled the scene, and Xin Nuo grinned.

“When my hero appears on the big screen one day, she’ll be here.”

“Oh!”

My hero!

The fans who came to see Xin Nuo at the scene stomped their feet in excitement.

“I heard Nuo Nuo and Ranran worked together on a TV drama this year. Maybe in the future, we’ll interview Heran again here. Do you have anything you want to say to Heran?” the host asked with a smile.

Xin Nuo felt like the host was stirring things up, but she had no evidence.

“What should I say… Oh, hi there,” Xin Nuo laughed. “Did I act well?”

The host burst into laughter and finally let her off the hook.

Xin Nuo breathed a sigh of relief, grateful that Xu Heran hadn’t come to the scene.

At eight o’clock in the evening, the award ceremony officially began. Last year, “Wind and Forest Echoes” was the biggest winner and naturally garnered multiple awards at the Golden Deer Awards. With her outstanding acting, Xin Nuo won the Best Supporting Actress and Best Newcomer awards. However, when she went on stage to give her speech, her gaze suddenly caught onto someone.

Mu Yiyao’s face turned somewhat pale, and he awkwardly clapped with a smile.

Right.

This man had been pursuing her for almost three years, and now he barely managed to sit in the third row.

Xin Nuo turned around, wearing a smile.

It’s alright, you’ll keep pursuing, until there’s no place for you in this hall anymore.

“Thank you to all the audience, fans, and supporters who encouraged and supported me. Thanks to all the crew members, Universal Entertainment, SGS, my family, and friends. I’m honored to receive this award. I will always approach every script with a newcomer’s mindset, and I hope to bring more and better works to everyone. Thank you!”

Amidst thunderous applause, Xin Nuo bowed and left the stage, her gaze lightly meeting with Mu Yiyao’s.

She offered a faint smile to Mu Yiyao.

Mu Yiyao’s smile froze for a moment.

The award ceremony concluded, and the cast and crew of “Wind and Forest Echoes,” who had received the awards for Best Visuals, Best Screenplay, and Best Film of the Year, arrived at a hotel recommended by someone for a celebratory banquet.

As Xin Nuo looked at the familiar venue, she swallowed lightly and took a deep breath.

As they entered the venue, a black car was parked at the hotel entrance. The doorman, with a courteous smile, opened the door, and a man with an indifferent expression got out of the car. His gaze unexpectedly fell onto a girl with a beautiful side profile in the lobby.

The man furrowed his brows and averted his eyes.

Li You’s assistant had reserved a private room. As everyone settled down, they watched as the staff brought in drinks and beverages.

“We won’t force anyone to drink. Feel free,” Li You said cheerfully, waving his hand. “Order whatever you like!”

“Thank you, Director!”

Xin Nuo glanced at the time and said with a smile, “I’ll go to the restroom.”

“Just now, Xiaole went to the restroom in the private room and hasn’t returned yet,” the actress playing the female lead whispered to Xin Nuo.

“Then I’ll go outside.” Xin Nuo smiled and picked up her bag.

In the corridor outside the restroom, there was a communal sink with a large mirror. Xin Nuo took out her lipstick and powder from her bag, checking her makeup in the mirror.

It should be alright.

Even if it’s not, Zhuzhu won’t be picky.

Thinking of someone, Xin Nuo couldn’t help but curl her lips up. She lightly tapped her lips and reapplied some lipstick, making them appear glossy and moisturized. As she gazed at her reflection in the mirror, trying to find any imperfections, suddenly a figure appeared in the mirror.

Mu Yiyao’s expression was extremely unpleasant as he frowned and looked at Xin Nuo.

“Earlier, you said I would pursue for six years, is that true?”

At that time, he had taken Xin Nuo’s words as a joke, thinking it was idle chatter meant to provoke him. But now, as he found himself pursuing whatever Xin Nuo had mentioned, after three years, his heart couldn’t bear it anymore.

“Do you really know fortune-telling? How do we solve this? Do I have to endure these six years?” Mu Yiyao was anxious, his tone urgent.

Xin Nuo slowly placed the lipstick back in her bag and sneered. “No, of course not.”

Mu Yiyao’s eyes lit up. “Is there another way?”

“As long as you tell me what you want, I’ll help you with it!”

“Sorry, I don’t want anything from you,” Xin Nuo said softly. “Hmm? No, actually, I want you to stay as far away from me as possible.”

Mu Yiyao forced a smile. “Of course.”

“But it’s not necessary.” Xin Nuo ignored him, turned on the tap, and washed her fingers, her tone deliberate.

“Just now, I didn’t mean that you would only pursue for these six years.” Standing up, she shrugged at Mu Yiyao, sounding helpless. “You’ll keep pursuing, endlessly.”

“At that time, no matter how much you want, you won’t appear in front of me.”

Xin Nuo sneered, tossed the paper towel used for cleaning into the trash can, and walked away without looking back. Mu Yiyao’s face turned pale as he watched her retreating figure, murmuring, “No, that won’t happen. I’ll definitely rise again!”

“Damn it, she’s just a liar. I shouldn’t have come to find her!”

Mu Yiyao cursed vehemently and left in a hurry.

Once the two of them were gone, in the next moment, a pair of long legs stepped out from a nearby compartment. A man with a cold expression glanced in the direction Xin Nuo had left, a hint of interest flashing in his eyes.

“Interesting.”

“Mr. Ji!”

“Are you Mr. Ji?”

In the corridor, a short and chubby man with a beer belly ran over from a distance, excitedly extending his hand. “I’m Li He from Advanced Technology. We’ve met before.”

Ji Yichen’s tone was cold, “Hello.”

However, the man didn’t mind his tone at all and hurriedly said, “The biofilm technology your company developed this year is truly amazing! At Advanced Technology, we’re very interested in collaborating with you!”

The corner of Ji Yichen’s mouth curved slightly. “Exaggerated praise.”

Li He’s excitement grew, he looked around and realized this wasn’t the best place for a conversation, and quickly added, “I’m here to discuss investment matters with a friend. You may not know, today is the Golden Deer Awards ceremony, and several production crews are holding celebratory banquets here.”

“Golden Deer Awards?” Ji Yichen thought of the woman with the exquisite, picturesque profile and understood. So, it was a celebrity.

“Yeah, my friend is a director. He wants me to invest in his film. But speaking of which, investing in films these days requires caution. It’s like pouring money down the drain. Take me for instance, I’m not a company as well-off as Universal Entertainment, where they can casually promote a minor star. Speaking of Universal Entertainment, Li You, the director who won the Best Film award this year, seems to be here too. I was actually thinking of getting to know him. You…”

The man had wanted to ask if Ji Yichen wanted to go along, but as soon as the thought crossed his mind, he suppressed it. After all, who was Mr. Ji? He was always the one others sought investment from. Where would he ever be in a hurry to invest in others? Letting Mr. Ji meet Li You, wouldn’t that be damaging his own face?

Unexpectedly, Ji Yichen suddenly said, “Go have a look.”

As the words left his mouth, an odd expression crossed Ji Yichen’s face. He didn’t know why, but these three words had slipped out of his mouth involuntarily.

Li He was pleasantly surprised, thinking Ji Yichen was just doing it for his face, and quickly led him in another direction, non-stop with his introductions.

Once they reached the room, Li He knocked on the door and then pushed it open.

“Is Director Li You here?”

At the dining table, the lively conversation came to a halt as everyone turned their heads to look at the unfamiliar person at the door.

Li You asked in puzzlement, “Hello?”

“Yeah, Director Li, let me introduce myself. I’m Li, the General Manager of Advanced Technology. And the person behind me is the Vice President of the well-known Peak BioTech, Mr. Ji Yichen!” The man’s tone was lofty, as if he were Ji Yichen himself.

“Okay.” Ji Yichen’s voice drifted out slowly, and his peripheral vision subtly swept over the table. He saw the girl with lowered eyelashes, her pupils slightly deepened.

Ji Yichen.

Tsk.

Xin Nuo held a cup of tea, looking at her reflection and smiling faintly.

The world truly worked like this. It would make her past enemies show up one by one. Unfortunately, the plot had changed now. She was no longer the pitiable creature who was at the mercy of others in her past life.

This time, she had someone to cherish her, someone to love her.

Someone to protect her.

Xin Nuo put down the teacup. At that moment, the seat next to her was pulled open, and the man with the last name Li eagerly asked Ji Yichen to sit between the two actresses. He turned his head and smiled at Xin Nuo.

“Superstar, this is our Mr. Ji, very impressive, and he’s also fond of investing. He has never lost a hand. If you’re interested, you can join Mr. Ji and have a few drinks with us.”

The atmosphere in the room grew somewhat delicate. Li You frowned and stopped him. “We don’t do that here.”

“Hahaha, what’s the problem? Not drinking means not being friends. After drinking, everyone is a good friend. Come on, have a drink. Mr. Ji here will invest in your film, making you famous nationwide!” The man raised his glass, looking at Xin Nuo’s face with an excited expression, repeatedly glancing at her.

This young star was quite beautiful. She looked familiar too. Had they met somewhere before?

A nauseating feeling churned in Xin Nuo’s stomach. Her gaze turned colder and colder as she looked at Li He, a hint of mockery in her expression.

Li He was still trying to figure out who she was when he furrowed his brows. What did this person mean? Just a minor celebrity, and yet she was putting on airs? Did she even know who he was, a wealthy benefactor’s son?

The atmosphere at the table turned cold. The expressions of the crew members soured as they looked at Li You. A fleeting flash of anger flickered in Li You’s eyes. At this moment, Ji Yichen suddenly spoke up, “No need.”

“I’ll accompany her in drinking.”

Li He’s heart skipped a beat, thinking to himself that it made sense. He was indeed overstepping. From the moment Ji Yichen entered the room, his gaze had been focused on the young star. How could he be so clueless?

“Yes, of course, please.”

Li He quickly stepped back and signaled to Xin Nuo, wearing an expression that indicated she should serve Ji Yichen well.

Xin Nuo suddenly found it amusing. Who was this person…?

“I don’t drink,” Xin Nuo’s voice was cold, like ice-cold water, “and I don’t keep company.”

“Both of you, calm down.”

Li He’s smiling face froze in place, and he looked at Xin Nuo in astonishment, then at Ji Yichen.

This was Mr. Ji Yichen, the top figure at Peak BioTech! Did this young star not understand the significance of this name?

Ji Yichen remained expressionless, raising the glass that Li He had just arrived with. “My apologies.”

“Making friends?” He looked at the tea cup next to Xin Nuo, “You can have tea.”

Xin Nuo gazed at the glass raised halfway in the air and smirked.

“No.”

Ji Yichen’s brow furrowed.

“You, young stars, have no manners!” Li He exclaimed loudly.

Manners?

Xin Nuo raised an eyebrow lightly, draped her shawl around herself, leaned back in her chair, and chuckled softly.

Ji Yichen’s intended words came to a halt when he saw her smile. He held his glass stiffly in the air.

Li You slammed his hand on the table. “Get out—”

“Why are you making such a fuss?”

A lazy voice drifted in from the doorway.

Xin Nuo’s eyes lit up in an instant. She turned around quickly and looked at the girl who was walking over with a mask and a hat, dressed in a short-sleeved denim shirt and striding over with long legs. She stood up, and her tone softened immediately.

“Why did you come so late?”

“I saw your awards broadcast, and I bumped into a professional instructor when I went out. We chatted for a bit.” Xu Heran took off her hat and mask, approached Xin Nuo, extended her hand as she pulled Xin Nuo behind her, then kicked the chair and sat down. She looked at the man who was still holding his glass up.

“Friend, isn’t your arm tired?” Xu Heran had a smile on her face, but the smile didn’t reach her eyes.

“Want a drink? I’ll do it.”

Xu Heran extended her slender fingers and grabbed Ji Yichen’s glass.

The irresistible force of her action made Ji Yichen furrow his brow instantly. A few drops of wine splashed out and landed on Xu Heran’s hand. She tilted her head back and downed the glass of wine in one go. With a “snap,” she threw the wine glass onto the table, and with a “bang,” the hearts of the people around the table skipped a beat.

Xu Heran propped her chin up with her hand, and her unbelievably beautiful eyes swept over the man from top to bottom. The girl who had been observing them from behind the door ever since they entered hooked her lips.

“By the way, who are you?”

She glanced at the wine bottle beside her and suddenly realized.

“Oh~ a plant, huh!”

Xin Nuo put her hand on her shoulder and chuckled softly. “That’s right.”

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Translator: Glariosa
Editor: Sinensis
Proofreader: Ruu

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