This was the first time Xia Wan had mentioned the Lu family, and Shen Li became interested, following up the topic by asking, "What's your relationship with Lu Yan?"
"Our relationship is so-so."
"She's your aunt, don't you two keep in touch?"
Xia Wan surprisingly said without any hesitation, "We are half-sisters; my maternal grandmother died early."
This wasn't a secret within the industry, but for the few people present, it was the first time they'd heard of it. No wonder Lu Yan's age wasn't much different from Xia Wan's.
"What's Lu Yan like? Do you know her? What kind of man does she like? Is Zhuang Yan within her criteria for a partner?" Shen Li's questions became increasingly personal, and she had completely forgotten what the director had said.
Speaking of Lu Yan, Xia Wan's eyes flashed with contempt: "She likes to have fun and does nothing all day. My grandfather said she was just a pretty face and didn't dare let her into the company for fear of causing trouble. He only left her a small share of a branch company so she would never have to worry about food or clothing for the rest of her life."
"Do you know anything about her love life?"
“I don’t know her or care about her, but every year during the Lunar New Year I hear relatives say that she’s not doing her job properly, that she often goes to bars and picks up male models, and that she has a bad reputation. Even though she’s of marriageable age, no one in the industry is going on blind dates with her. My uncle originally wanted to arrange a marriage for her, but as you know, for a family like ours, beauty alone isn’t enough; you have to have knowledge and ability.”
Xia Wan claimed she didn't understand or care, yet she spoke ill of Lu Yan, clearly showing she didn't treat her as an elder.
The malice in her heart was almost seeping out.
In short, after Xia Wan's explanation, Lu Yan was portrayed as a useless pretty face. Not only that, she was also promiscuous and self-degrading... What good woman goes to bars and plays with male models all the time?
I thought Lu Yan was just a bit alluring in appearance, but I didn't expect her to be just as alluring in her actions, turning a blank sheet of paper into a newspaper.
Is that really the case? No one investigates further.
After listening attentively, Shen Li rested her chin on her hand and concluded, "Now that you mention it, Lu Yan and Zhuang Yan are quite a good match."
Xia Wan: "..."
Shen Li explained, "One is a playboy and the other is a playgirl. They both like to go to nightclubs and bars. Maybe they met there. One is unrestrained and the other is cynical. They are a perfect match. I have high hopes for them and want to see their next extreme tug-of-war."
Xia Wan almost couldn't keep up the act. She suppressed her anger and sneered, "Lu Yan won't like Zhuang Yan."
"I understand."
Xia Wan: You know nothing.
Shen Li nodded and continued, "Two playboys have met, and one of them is the main actor. I'm really looking forward to their date tomorrow to see if they're sincere or just after sex. Aren't you all excited?"
Others: You know what... I'm actually looking forward to it.
Xia Wan gripped the cup in her hand tightly and remained silent.
Xia Wan fell silent, which made Shen Li quite regretful. This time, her attitude towards Xia Wan was completely sincere, without any sarcasm or sarcasm.
...
Since separating from Zhuang Yan, more and more things have slipped out of her control.
She couldn't understand why Zhuang Yan was being smeared like this, yet there were still people who liked and appreciated him. In the show, he was like an antique buried in the ground, becoming more valuable the longer time passed.
The only redeeming quality is that, compared to others' initiative, Zhuang Yan treats everyone the same, and is quite indifferent to Lu Yan as well.
Everyone else was discussing tomorrow's date, but Xia Wan was lost in thought. She raised her fingertips, dipped them in water, and drew on the table.
Does Zhuang Yan know that she's also participating in this variety show? Does he know that she's watching his every move? Does he know that she's watching him and Lu Yan during the live stream?
Xia Wan had a strange feeling. Perhaps Zhuang Yan sent the text message to her best friend last night to spite her, and perhaps he deliberately got so close to her aunt to spite her as well.
Xia Wan had seen what Zhuang Yan's lover looked like; he would never act so coldly when he liked someone.
Just like with her...
"What are you drawing?" Gu Qian suddenly leaned over from the side.
Xia Wan snapped out of her reverie. During that time, she had actually written the character "言" (yan, meaning speech) on the table with her drink. Seeing this, she quickly wiped it away: "It's nothing, I was just spacing out... What time is it? When will it end?"
"It'll be soon. Do you want to come to my place tonight? I'll cook for you."
Xia Wan gently declined, saying, "I didn't rest well last night, and I want to go to bed early tonight. I need to get up early tomorrow morning to record the show and watch the live broadcast."
This wasn't the first time Gu Qian had invited Xia Wan to his house. Xia Wan used to go often, but she hadn't gone even once since she and Zhuang Yan broke up. Now, she refused his invitations every time.
Even though his home is closer to here, he could drive her to and from the show together, and take good care of her like a boyfriend.
Gu Qian dared not continue, fearing that their relationship would reach a dead end.
"Then I'll prepare breakfast for you tomorrow morning."
Xia Wan nodded in agreement.
...
In preparation for tomorrow's date, the guests turned off the lights and went to bed early, but very few actually fell asleep.
Jiang Ning was anxious and restless. The thought of Zhuang Yan's date with Lu Yan tomorrow made her feel like she was being pricked by needles. This feeling was no less than when she learned that he was getting engaged.
She came to participate in this program hoping to get closer to Zhuang Yan, but now their relationship is at an awkward distance, and she can't do anything but watch him from afar.
Should she not have participated in this variety show? But if she hadn't, she wouldn't have had even the slightest chance... At least for now, she can still dream.
An Xinrong was the last to turn off the lights. She was putting together her outfit for tomorrow, as she liked to make herself look her best before going out.
But right now she had no mind to think about makeup or styling. Her date was the one she had envisioned, so she should have been excited and looking forward to it... But right now her mind was full of Zhuang Yan, and she even thought that it would be really fun to go out with Zhuang Yan.
After all, when Zhuang Yan and Xia Wan were together, he often arranged dates and always made Xia Wan very happy. Even Xia Wan, who is so picky, said that he was very considerate and romantic.
Never mind, I'll just pack a quick outfit and head out tomorrow; consider it a team-building activity with my colleagues.
That's human nature. You might think someone doesn't meet your requirements, but when they're away from you, you feel restless and anxious.
Lu Yan played with the bracelet, imagining attaching it to Zhuang Yan's wrist. Zhuang Yan's hands were exceptionally beautiful, with distinct knuckles. Especially when he was cooking and rinsing rice, his hands would be immersed in the milky white rice water and gently rubbed together, the rice grains flowing through his fingers with the water. It was a sight that made one want to preserve it as a specimen.
Lu Yan wasn't stupid; she could sense that Zhuang Yan didn't want to go on a date with her and was avoiding her like the plague.
But so what?
Her possessiveness grew clearer as she thought of Jiang Ning, who looked at Zhuang Yan with sadness and disappointment, and An Xinrong, who liked him but was unaware of it.
Lu Yan fumbled to put the bracelet on her wrist, wrapping it tightly until she felt pain in her wrist before she finally fastened it. Her originally calm eyes revealed a hint of obsessive gloom.
Zhuang Yan also had trouble sleeping. The thing he was worried about had happened. He was nervous at the thought of his date with Lu Yan the next day.
There were too many uncertainties, and he couldn't think about it too much, otherwise he wouldn't be able to sleep tonight. Fortunately, exhaustion eventually got the better of him, and he closed his eyes and fell asleep in no time.
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