Chapter 37: Xia Yufei

In the VIP lounge, only Yang Fan’s group was present. At the table led by Ai Xiaomei sat Zhang Meng, Li Jingyi, and Qian Xue’er, none of whom seemed to notice the tense atmosphere that lingered over the table. Yang Fan glanced over from time to time, keeping a close eye on Lin Ruo. If Lin Ruo and Zhao Jing had any sort of conversation, things could really spiral out of control. Whenever Lin Ruo and Zhao Jing were in the same place, he grew especially uneasy.

Zhang Chen and his friends were busy discussing the beautiful women around them. The two tables belonging to Old Third’s group also kept sneaking glances at the attractive waitresses serving in the VIP lounge. Yes, without exception, they were all stunning. What else would a film company do if not select beauties...

"Yang Fan, take a look at this photo I took—this woman’s pretty, isn’t she? I really have to talk to Xu Zihan about her. Just look!" Yang Fan glared at him. If he kept looking, things would get even more chaotic. Whoever he looked at was doomed, and besides, he hadn’t even met Xia Yufei himself; there was at least a twenty percent chance he’d end up ruining someone’s prospects.

"Old Ye, Haoyu, what do you think?"

"If you ask me," Ye Xiao said, "these celebrities are good as girlfriends, but marrying one? You’d better think twice!"

"Old Ye, you’re so old-fashioned," Xu Tao joked. "Who says a girlfriend has to become your wife?"

"Well, that’s true. It’s just the way things are," Ye Xiao replied, adopting the tone of someone who’d seen it all.

Everyone’s expressions were playful; some things could only be understood, not spoken outright.

Yang Fan curled his lip. How could they speak so shamelessly? They’d all become rotten.

As they chatted, the boss of Jingtian entered with a group, including Director Sun. The sight of Yang Fan still made Sun uneasy. After a few words of greeting, the boss took his leave. As he departed, Old Third shot Director Sun a warning look—he’d better know his place.

"Yang Fan!" At the door, Xu Zihan walked in. Old Third and his group, who were seated by the door, stood up to greet her.

"Zihan," they called.

"Sit down, everyone, sit down," Xu Zihan said with a smile.

"Zihan!" called out Ai Xiaomei.

"Xiaomei!" Xu Zihan waved her wine glass at her, then raised it to everyone. "Yang Fan, I really must thank you today."

"No need for that—what’s our relationship? Here’s to Xu Zihan’s meteoric rise—cheers!"

Everyone raised their glasses.

"Zihan, let’s take a picture together!" Ai Xiaomei pulled out her phone and tossed it to Yang Fan. The girls gathered, and Yang Fan sighed—he’d become the photographer. His status at home was slipping a little more every day.

"I want one too! I want a solo with my idol!" Zhang Chen said excitedly. After taking the picture, he immediately set it as his phone wallpaper.

Yang Fan was pulled in for photos as well—just him, Ai Xiaomei, and Xu Zihan. It felt as if they’d gone back to the day they first met, in that rented apartment, just the three of them. The bonds of close friends were eternal.

"Go do your own thing—no need to fuss over us," Xu Zihan said.

"Alright. If you need anything, just call," Yang Fan replied.

"Zihan, can we switch to white liquor?" one of Old Third’s boys asked.

Old Third shot him a glare, and the boy fell silent. The room filled with laughter.

At Tianning Normal University, a solitary girl—Xia Yufei—sat in silence. Today, she stared blankly at the withering leaves, feeling as though something precious had slipped away, leaving her heart heavy with sorrow. She didn’t know if she would ever see the man from the night before again. After a night of passion, perhaps they would never meet once more. She only knew his name; even his face was a blur. In such a vast sea of people, where could she possibly search?

"Yang Fan," Xia Yufei murmured.

"Yufei, what are you thinking about?" a girl beside her asked, noticing Xia Yufei’s absentmindedness. "Are you feeling unwell?"

Xia Yufei shook her head.

"Here, the class president from the next class asked me to give you this little gift," her close friend handed her a square box.

Xia Yufei glanced at it indifferently, not even reaching out to take it.

Her friend, refusing to give up, opened the box and said, "Look, these are your favorite earrings!"

The earrings sparkled dazzlingly. Such brilliance easily captivated girls.

But Xia Yufei only looked at them once and then looked away. "Help me tell him not to give me things anymore—I can’t accept them."

Even if someone wanted to give her a gift, she hoped it would be from that person. As for people she didn’t like, her rejections were always so absolute.

"Think it over again—the class president next door is really into you," her friend urged.

Xia Yufei simply walked away, leaving Li Susu, caught in a dilemma, behind.

"How did it go, Susu?" someone asked.

"Don’t worry, Yufei has always been like that," Li Susu replied.

"How about this—tomorrow night, I’ll invite you and Xia Yufei out for karaoke," the class president, Sun Wen, suggested.

"You’re not planning anything, are you? I’m warning you, Yufei is my best friend."

"Come on, don’t worry. If you like, bring your whole dorm along—alright?"

"Fine, then."

"It’s settled!" Sun Wen grinned, watching Xia Yufei’s retreating figure. Whether to win her heart first or her person, both were legitimate strategies in the pursuit of a girl.

"As for Li Susu... just a little sister. It only depends on how you say her name. She’s got a decent figure, too."

That afternoon, Xu Zihan’s company was holding a celebration, so Yang Fan’s group dispersed. Feeling troubled, Yang Fan drank a bit more than usual. Lin Ruo took him and Ai Xiaomei home, with Zhao Jing tagging along as well.

The others returned to the company, all in high spirits except for Wu Qian, who was feeling anxious about the fierce competition. But there was still plenty of time. With that thought, she decided to devote herself to figuring out how to be a perfect personal assistant.

As usual, Zhang Chen and his group went to find their secretaries. Liu Haoyu went, Ye Xiao went, and as for Yang Fan, with Ai Xiaomei and Zhao Jing by his side, he felt more at ease than anyone.

Old Third, following Yang Fan’s instructions, returned to the company and then set off toward the plaza.

"Remember," Old Third said, "President Yang told us—we’re legitimate businessmen. Don’t go around frightening students. If there’s trouble, it should be with those stronger than us."

The group was excited—another hundred thousand had arrived in the account that morning. With money in hand, their ambitions grew.

"But boss, how do we find her?" one asked.

"Are you stupid? Money makes the world go round. Use your brain."

Ahead, a group of students appeared. Old Third directed the car to stop by the curb. He opened the door and got out.

"You lot, come here!"

The students immediately turned and tried to run, but Old Third took a few steps and caught one.

"Why are you running?"

"Mister, we’re just students—we haven’t done anything to you. Please don’t hurt us!"

"What are you thinking? If you weren’t students, I wouldn’t be looking for you," Old Third said. He pulled a wad of cash from his pocket. "I need your help. Which school are you from?"

"Technical High."

"Alright, I need you to find someone at your school for me—her name is Xia Yufei. She’s my long-lost sister. Here, take this."

Old Third shoved the money into the student’s hand.

"Mister, what’s this for?"

"If you find her, there’ll be a heavy reward. There are six schools around here, right?"

"Yes!"

"Do you know anyone at the other schools?"

"I don’t," the student replied.

"What about the rest of you?" Old Third asked, waving another wad of cash at the group’s nervous friends.

"I know someone at the Institute of Technology," one said.

"I have friends at the Medical College," another offered.

"I know someone at the Normal University," a girl added.

"Alright, two thousand each. If you help me find her, there’s a big reward waiting," Old Third promised.

"We’ll call right now!" The students eagerly pulled out their phones.

"Let’s not just stand here—there’s a restaurant nearby. Lunch is on me," Old Third said.

The students were thrilled, especially the two girls.

All afternoon, Old Third made calls and inquiries. Soon, he had news—and fortunately, there was no one else by that name.

At the gates of the Normal University, the students pointed out a girl of striking purity. "That’s Xia Yufei," they said.

Old Third nodded. "Amin, hand out the money—five thousand each."

Amin promptly handed the cash to the students, who were beside themselves with excitement. Seven thousand in one afternoon—far better than any part-time job.

"If you ever need work, just come to me," Old Third said.

"Thank you, boss," they replied.

"No problem," Old Third said, smiling as the students left, nearly skipping with joy. He then pulled out his phone and called Yang Fan. Yang Fan was still asleep, so whether it was Zhao Jing or Ai Xiaomei who answered, Old Third didn’t dare say much. He made up an excuse and hung up.

Yang Fan, still asleep at the time, woke up to find it was already evening. Zhao Jing was cooking dinner, Ai Xiaomei was watching TV on the sofa, and Lin Ruo was there too, staring at Yang Fan’s face so intently that she nearly startled him.

"What are you doing?"

"You still haven’t answered my question," she said.

"Can’t you give me a few days to think about it?"

"Alright," Lin Ruo replied. "Now get up—we’re going to see that estate."

"It’s already evening!" Yang Fan groaned.

"I was busy during the day."

Yang Fan had no choice but to get up. Leaving the bedroom, he saw Ai Xiaomei still snacking—she’d been eating all day long.

"Yang Fan, dinner’s almost ready," Zhao Jing called.

"We’ll be out for a bit," Yang Fan said.

"Okay, come back early," she replied.

In the car, Lin Ruo was silent for a long time. Yang Fan didn’t know what to say to her either.

"By the way, Old Third called you," Lin Ruo said.

"Did he?" Yang Fan checked his phone and, sure enough, there was a missed call. He returned it, and Old Third’s first words were that he’d found her.

Yang Fan gave a nonchalant reply—not that he didn’t want to talk, but with Lin Ruo right there, he was at his limit.

"You found Xia Yufei?" Lin Ruo asked directly.

"You knew?"

"Of course I knew. She was one of the two women from last night. You should find her—it’s the responsible thing to do," Lin Ruo said.

Yang Fan was stunned. Was that twenty percent chance really so accurate?

"Then who was the other one?" he asked.

"Who do you hope it was?" Lin Ruo replied with a question of her own.