"Fang Yan, are you satisfied with this ending?" Shi Nian spoke just before Fang Yan could walk out the door.
Shi Nian's words made Fang Yan stop abruptly.
She turned and chuckled. "Very well, Miss Shi. Aren't you the reason for this ending?"
Without another word, Fang Yan pulled down her face mask and removed her hood, giving Shi Nian a clear view of her face.
She looked straight into Shi Nian's eyes. Seeing that her expression remained calm, she covered herself again and walked out.
Shi Nian had no intention of stopping her. Today, she came only to see Fang Yan for herself. She liked to observe a person before confronting them directly.
And from today's meeting, she could tell Fang Yan was strong-willed and didn't take the current Shi Nian very seriously.
She hadn't planned to negotiate with Fang Yan personally. She would have to discuss everything with Cheng Youlin first. He'll be here soon, she thought to herself.
Just then, a voice called out behind her:
"Nian Nian, why didn't you inform me you were coming to the company? If Xiao Yu hadn't told me, would you have left without seeing me?"
Cheng Youlin's voice was filled with helplessness.
"Brother Youlin," Shi Nian called softly. "Even if I didn't inform you, aren't you here now?"
She had expected Xiao Yu to message him. It wasn't the first time—every time she arrived in his absence, Xiao Yu always contacted him. Even when Shi Nian insisted she didn't need to, Xiao Yu still did it. Clearly under his instructions.
"Why are you here today, Nian Nian? Did you miss your big brother?" he teased.
Shi Nian could only smile at him.
"Brother Youlin, aren't you shameless? If Sister Nian Nian missed anyone, it would be me. Her cutest little cousin."
Cheng Yuemin popped out from behind him.
Shi Nian wasn't surprised. She had sensed his presence earlier when she felt Cheng Youlin's aura.
"You're asking for a beating, Yuemin." Cheng Youlin glared at him.
Cheng Yuemin immediately hid behind Shi Nian with a sheepish grin.
"Brother Youlin, how come you're with Yuemin?" Shi Nian changed the topic quickly.
Yuemin sighed in relief. Though gentle and cold outside, Cheng Youlin never missed the chance to beat him at home.
"This troublemaker hasn't been home for a week. Grandma asked me to pick him up from his university dormitory," Cheng Youlin explained.
"After dinner we'll be going to Grandma's. Do you want to join us?" he asked.
Grandmother Meng missed Shi Nian dearly. She often called to check on her but never invited her over, afraid of disturbing her work.
Seeing Shi Nian's silence, Cheng Youlin didn't insist.
Shi Nian looked at him gratefully. "Brother Youlin, I'll visit Grandma soon. I miss her too."
A soft yearning flashed in her eyes.
She missed her family. The Cheng family reminded her of them in many ways.
Catching the faint sadness on her face, Cheng Youlin quickly changed the topic.
"Let's go out for dinner. I recently found a great diner—I'm sure you'll like it."
…
Cheng Youlin took Shi Nian and the almost-forgotten Cheng Yuemin to a nearby local restaurant.
It was very popular among his employees, with online reviews as high as four stars. It received a lot of attention after people discovered that celebrities frequently ate there.
It was even praised online as the celebrity restaurant.
"The food here is all local specialties. Genuine capital city cuisine. Rumor says it's owned by a big shot," Cheng Youlin explained enthusiastically.
Cheng Yuemin rolled his eyes. "Brother Youlin, you can introduce the whole building if you want, but should we really keep standing at the door?"
Shi Nian looked at Yuemin, speechless. This boy was always courting death. No wonder he was beaten the most at home.
Cheng Youlin didn't even bother replying, already used to Yuemin speaking before thinking.
They were standing at the entrance only because the restaurant was packed.
After the online leak about celebrities coming here, seats were always full during the three peak mealtimes.
And the rumor wasn't fake—NianXing wasn't the only entertainment company in the area. When the government promoted entertainment and media industries years ago, other companies secured spots nearby as well.
Thankfully, they didn't wait long before being led to a table that had just been cleared.
They could have left for another place, but Cheng Youlin wanted Shi Nian to try this restaurant's food. He knew she loved exploring new dishes.
And he was right.
When the food arrived and Shi Nian's eyes lit up, he felt everything had been worth it.
…
After finishing their meal, they ordered a fruit platter.
Then they walked to a nearby park to help digestion.
The ever-energetic Cheng Yuemin quickly disappeared to play around the park.
Shi Nian and Cheng Youlin watched him while sitting on a bench.
"Nian Nian, did you come to the company for a reason today?" Cheng Youlin suddenly asked.
Shi Nian turned to look at his serious expression.
It seems Xiao Yu told him I asked about Fang Yan, she thought.
The serious Cheng Youlin is more pleasing to the eyes, she commented inwardly, amused.
"Yes. I did." She looked directly at him. "I came to see Fang Yan."
Hearing her honest reply, Cheng Youlin visibly relaxed.
"You should have told me. I wouldn't have stopped you. It's just that Fang Yan… she gets a little violent these days. Her anger spikes randomly."
"Brother Youlin, BaiYue wants to sign a contract with Fang Yan." Shi Nian went straight to the point.
"Nian Nian, I don't advise it." Cheng Youlin frowned. "NianXing has other celebrities you can work with. I'll send you a list—you can pick freely."
After the previous incident with the BaiYue ambassadorship, Fang Yan had lost her standing in the industry.