Chapter 33

Ever since Luo Yu put the sign outside the studio, Guan Shanyan’s expression hadn’t improved.
Sitting beside him in the interview room, Shen Youwei felt a slight chill.
“Ahem, it’s 10 o’clock. Let’s start the interviews.” Shen Youwei cleared her throat and called in the waiting candidates.
The first was a young woman, likely a recent graduate. Shen Youwei glanced at the resume and smiled: “Zhong Lingling?”
“Yes, that’s me.” Zhong Lingling noticed Guan Shanyan sitting beside Shen Youwei. She had heard he was Shen Youwei’s brother but didn’t expect to see him in person.
Her eyes widened slightly. Guan Shanyan was handsome but stern-faced.
“Start with a self-introduction.” Guan Shanyan spoke coldly.
Zhong Lingling froze, then nervously delivered her rehearsed introduction. About ten minutes later, she left the room.
Four more female candidates waited, as Shen Youwei had specified she only wanted female assistants.
“What’s it like in there?” The second candidate asked Zhong Lingling. Excitedly, she whispered: “Besides Shen Youwei, Guan Shanyan is there. That well-known designer!”
“Oh, I know him. Isn’t he Shen Youwei’s brother?”
“Yes, but he’s got a stern face the whole time. Be careful when you go in.”
“!” A little intimidating.
The second candidate entered, indeed seeing Guan Shanyan inside. He was as cold as Zhong Lingling had said.
Shen Youwei, however, smiled warmly: “Sit here. Start with your self-introduction.”
“Okay, thank you.” The candidate quickly sat down and began.
By the time all interviews finished, it was almost 11 a.m. Shen Youwei studied the materials thoughtfully.
Guan Shanyan, still present, asked quietly: “Which one do you prefer?”
Shen Youwei: “Candidates one and three fit my requirements best. Their qualifications are similar.”
“Who will you choose, or continue interviews later?”
Shen Youwei shook her head. She urgently needed an assistant now. The studio would expand later, but for now: “We’ll go with Zhong Lingling.”
Guan Shanyan looked at Zhong Lingling’s resume. By his standards, she wasn’t the strongest candidate: “Why her?”
“I like her appearance and vibe. Choosing an assistant, appearance matters most,” Shen Youwei said. “Besides, I ran it through AI yesterday. It said my Five Elements favor metal, and names with metal elements boost my luck.”
Guan Shanyan: “!”
Not only burning incense at temples but also using AI fortune-telling now, huh?
“You didn’t use to believe in these things, did you?”
Shen Youwei sighed: “When a person’s luck runs out, they naturally start believing.”
“…”
Guan Shanyan didn’t say anything. Shen Youwei studied him for a moment and cautiously asked: “Are you still coming to lunch with us?”
“Why wouldn’t I?” he asked in return.
“…” She didn’t even know who was constantly radiating cold vibes, scaring all the young women during the interviews.
Luo Yu was sitting on the sofa on the first floor, waiting for them. The renovation crew had already left. When Shen Youwei came downstairs and saw the new carpet and curtains, she immediately walked over excitedly: “The curtains look even better than I imagined, and the carpet is so pretty!”
Luo Yu stood up from the sofa, tossing his hair proudly: “Of course. The factories I recommend are the best. If not for the price, this order might have been scheduled for the second half of the year.”
Guan Shanyan snorted coldly from the side. Luo Yu turned, dissatisfied: “What are you laughing at?”
“Just finding you funny.” Guan Shanyan replied.
Luo Yu: “!”
Who’s really the funny one here? Earlier, Shen Youwei hadn’t let him put up the sign; the unchosen person is the one who’s funny!
In the past, Luo Yu wouldn’t have been so patient, he would’ve gone at Guan Shanyan already. But now it was different: this was Shen Youwei’s newly renovated studio, and he had to leave a good impression.
Besides, he had heard that Guan Shanyan had recently knocked out a wild boar barehanded.
Luo Yu snorted twice and said to Guan Shanyan: “Some people don’t have a sister, so they’re like this. I’m in a good mood today, so I won’t argue with you.”
Guan Shanyan: “!”
Although he kind of wanted to argue.
“Haha, I’m a bit hungry. Let’s go eat!” Shen Youwei clapped her hands and smiled at the two men.
She didn’t really understand, both were older than her, yet she felt like she had to coax them like children.
“Let’s go.” Guan Shanyan ignored Luo Yu and left the studio with Shen Youwei.
Shen Youwei had ridden in Guan Shanyan’s car coming to the studio, and now they were taking his car to Ludao. Luo Yu’s car had originally followed them but overtook Guan Shanyan on the road, getting in front.
Guan Shanyan scoffed at such childish behavior: “Your brother seems like a little kid.”
Shen Youwei: “!”
You’re no better.
Knowing Shen Youwei liked hotpot, Luo Yu had also booked a hotpot restaurant today. As they left the parking lot, he enthusiastically introduced it: “Each person gets their own small hotpot. You might think it’s not very tasty, but trust me, it’s amazing. Once you try it, you’ll want to come again.”
Shen Youwei didn’t doubt his taste in food, drinks, or entertainment: “If you recommend it, it must be good.”
Luo Yu’s tail lifted even higher: “The scenery here is beautiful too. Spring is the best time to come.”
Ludao was built in the mountains. Driving up, one could see flowers along the way. Around the restaurant, there were carefully planted greenery and a manmade lake, which would be full of lotuses by early summer.
“A low-budget version of Lize Park,” Guan Shanyan remarked sharply.
Luo Yu: “!”
Could someone sew his mouth shut?
“Haha, it’s not quite the same vibe as Lize Park. Both are beautiful,” Shen Youwei laughed to smooth things over. “Many of the trees here are expensive; it can’t really be called low-budget.”
“Of course. This place cost a fortune to build,” Luo Yu said pretentiously, hinting: “Some people claim to be famous designers but don’t appreciate beauty at all.”
Guan Shanyan: “Your sense of beauty is simple, just convert it into RMB.”
Luo Yu: “!”
Who says it can’t be dollars too?
Shen Youwei kept the atmosphere light until they sat down in the restaurant for hotpot, finally getting some quiet.
The hotpot was indeed delicious. She decided to come again with He Man next time.
“Any plans this afternoon? Want to come hang out at my place?” Luo Yu didn’t name anyone, but no one would think he was inviting Guan Shanyan.
Shen Youwei swallowed a bite of tripe and said: “No, I have to go back and draw today. The client needs it.”
Luo Yu had seen the last hot topic with Nan Xu. Honestly, he’d met many celebrities. Short dramas were popular, but actors were often disappointing. He didn’t mean long dramas revealing flaws, but even attending an event or walking the red carpet could be disappointing.
Nan Xu’s last red carpet look had garnered so much attention because it was genuinely high quality. Not only did she have talent, but Shen Youwei’s styling had been key.
“I saw the styling you did for Nan Xu last time. It was beautiful. Who’s the celebrity for this project?”
Shen Youwei: “Another short-drama actor. You probably won’t know them.”
This time it was Huang Yiqin, who had a breakout drama like Nan Xu. Last time she attended the red carpet too. By popularity, she and Nan Xu were roughly equal, but Nan Xu’s photos had gone viral, whereas Huang Yiqin’s red carpet didn’t make waves.
Huang Yiqin’s team approached her not for a red carpet but for a Saturday brand event. They wanted her styling expertise.
“Famous stars usually have careful teams and long-term stylists, rarely switching,” Guan Shanyan said, seemingly comforting her. “Even though Nan Xu’s look was a success, many are still observing.”
“I know,” Shen Youwei nodded. “I just opened a studio. Getting this far is already good. I’ll cherish the present. When I grow stronger, even famous stars will have to check my schedule.”
Guan Shanyan: “!”
Why did he feel she’d feel disappointed?
“Exactly. I believe that day will come!” Luo Yu clinked his juice with hers: “If you want connections with celebrities, I know a lot!”
Guan Shanyan snorted dismissively: “Check out the topic ‘Photo with Guan Shanyan’ and see how many celebrities have asked for my contact info.”
Luo Yu: “!”
He’s everywhere!
Shen Youwei lowered her head, quietly eating her hotpot.
After lunch, she went to see the sika deer, then took Guan Shanyan’s car home.
On the way, she glanced at the driver: “Aren’t you going to work this afternoon?”
“No rush. I’ll go after I drop you off.” Guan Shanyan’s words fell, and they didn’t speak for a while. The car felt unusually quiet.
As they passed an intersection, Guan Shanyan’s voice broke the silence: “You let Luo Yu put up the sign today. Did you think you didn’t need me as a brother anymore?”
Shen Youwei’s brows twitched. After a long pause, she said with a faintly mocking smile: “Guan Shanyan, did you forget I confessed to you three years ago? I didn’t want you to be my brother.”