Chapter 39

That whole night, Guan Shanyan kept thinking about what “new experiences” he and Shen Youwei hadn’t done together yet.
Once his mind wandered, some rather, inappropriate ideas came to him.
Though inappropriate, they were indeed “new experiences.”
The next day was Shen Youwei’s studio opening. Since the auspicious time was calculated to be 7:43 a.m., she had to get up at six.
She hadn’t woken up this early in a long time and was yawning nonstop as she came out for breakfast.
Guan Shanyan was in the kitchen preparing breakfast. Shen Youwei, surprised, walked over: “Why are you making breakfast?”
Usually, her godparents prepared breakfast, and she and Guan Shanyan only had to eat.
Guan Shanyan glanced over his shoulder at her: “It’s too early today, so I made it while I was up.”
“Oh, you got up this early?”
“…” Not that he got up early, he hadn’t really slept. “Auspicious time,” he answered tersely.
Shen Youwei noticed the slight dark circles under his eyes and said: “If you’re tired, sleep a bit longer. You could just get breakfast from the stall downstairs.”
There was a breakfast shop near the complex she had heard about for a long time. Every day, the food sold out before she could even get up. Xie Mingqiu had once bought her some, but reheating it never tasted as good as freshly made.
Since she had woken up so early today, she wanted to get some fresh food.
Guan Shanyan found it hard to explain that he got up because he couldn’t sleep. Seeing that she wanted breakfast from downstairs, he didn’t object: “What I made is for my parents. If you want the breakfast stall, go early, or it’ll sell out again.”
Shen Youwei almost said it was only six, how could it be sold out? But realizing it was Monday, she agreed: “You’re right. I’ll get ready and go out.”
“Mm.”
When Shen Youwei came out again, Guan Shanyan had already changed. Since today was the opening with a ribbon-cutting, both dressed more formally. Shen Youwei only applied a base layer of makeup, planning to finish the rest on the way to the studio.
Even this early, four or five people were already in line at the breakfast stall. Shen Youwei, wearing a mask, muttered behind Guan Shanyan: “Oh my, what hardworking people! Heading to work this early!”
“…” Guan Shanyan paused, reminding her: “You’re one of them too.”
“I know! I’m just lamenting my fate!” Shen Youwei, thinking of her old solo content-creation days, already missed them before the studio even opened.
“You really do pity yourself.”
“What else?!” Shen Youwei scanned today’s offerings and had already decided what she wanted.
When it was their turn, she ordered without hesitation. The owner packed so fast that afterimages seemed to appear, leaving her stunned.
Back in the car, Shen Youwei took a bite of her chili bun: “Nothing beats fresh! Early risers deserve this!”
Guan Shanyan started the car smoothly and drove off: “Then you should get up early every day.”
“No need.” Sleeping had its charms.
After finishing the chili bun, she realized a question: “How will you eat while driving?”
“We’ll eat at your studio.”
Shen Youwei nodded, wiping her mouth with a tissue. Guan Shanyan glanced at her: “You bought all this but only eating one?”
“I’ll do my makeup first, then eat.” She didn’t want to forget her makeup in the excitement.
The drive was smooth, and Shen Youwei wasn’t slowed down. Guan Shanyan was surprised she only had lips left to do: “You’re so fast at makeup?”
“Fast on myself, slower on others.” She put away her cosmetics, put on gloves, and ate: “These shumai are great too. The owner deserves it.”
Not wanting to dip in sauce in the car, she ate them plain. “Want me to drive? You can eat while hot.”
“No need, we’ll be there soon.”
“Alright.” She didn’t insist.
On the way, traffic was slightly congested. Shen Youwei was surprised it was so busy even at seven: “How many early-rising people are in City A? Traffic at seven?”
“This isn’t traffic. Come half an hour later.”
“…” Shen Youwei decided from now on, the studio starts at ten, avoiding the morning rush. Genius.
At 7:10 a.m., Guan Shanyan parked at the studio. Zhong Lingling had arrived and greeted them: “Good morning, boss, Mr. Guan!”
“Good morning.” Shen Youwei nodded: “Did you have breakfast? I bought plenty to share.”
“Wow, thanks boss! But I ate a bread on the way!”
Guan Shanyan placed the breakfast on the table: “This is a famous stall. We got here early, so you should try it.”
“…” Who could resist? Zhong Lingling immediately tried a chili bun: “First time eating spicy buns! But it’s amazing, spicy yet fresh!”
“Right? The shumai is great too. I got shrimp and mushroom flavors.” Shen Youwei enthusiastically recommended.
Guan Shanyan, eating shumai, pushed the box toward Zhong Lingling.
She had been intimidated by him during the interview, but today he looked much gentler, and even shared food!
“Thank you, Mr. Guan!” Zhong Lingling gratefully ate a shumai.
“No need. Your boss paid for it.”
“Thanks to my kind, rich, and beautiful boss too!”
“You’re welcome.” Shen Youwei liked Zhong Lingling immediately.
Flower baskets arrived outside. At 7:30, Lu Zhaoye arrived: “Good thing I’m not late! Almost hit traffic.”
He had come from Lize Park, noticing heavy traffic and feeling uneasy. Luckily, he left early.
“Take a sip of water first.” Shen Youwei poured him some and glanced at the clock: “Ten more minutes until the ribbon-cutting. Let’s get ready.”
“On it!” Zhong Lingling hurried. Lu Zhaoye whispered: “I prepared electronic firecrackers. Should we use them?”
“Only sound, right?”
“They flash too. I made a video.” He showed Shen Youwei, who paused two seconds and politely declined.
“Woof woof!” A familiar bark came. Shen Youwei looked and saw Tianquan.
“Made it just in time, I’m exhausted.” He Man arrived with Tianquan, out of breath. Shen Youwei didn’t expect her so early: “You came too?”
“Here to boost your crowd. Brought Tianquan too.”
“Woof!”
“Good sister!”
“Woof!”
“Are they talking about you?” He Man joked, then told Shen Youwei: “I saw my flower basket outside, and also Nan Xu and Huang Yiqin’s names!”
“Yes, they all sent flowers.” To avoid trouble, she only announced the opening on her social circle. “My connections are better than I thought.”
“Of course, a female star with the talent!”
“Hehe, I prepared return gifts too!”
As they talked, noise outside caught their attention. Shen Youwei saw Luo Yu leading a group over.
“Sister!” Luo Yu shouted happily. “I brought friends to support you!”
Shen Youwei: “…”
For a moment, she thought they were crashing the event.
Guan Shanyan was clearly displeased but didn’t argue today: “The ribbon-cutting is ready. You can come out.”
“Okay.” Shen Youwei, nervous, took a deep breath, reapplied lipstick, and stepped to the entrance.
Zhong Lingling held the tray with scissors, Lu Zhaoye set up a camera, Luo Yu and friends cheered, and Guan Shanyan calmly counted down: “Ten seconds to auspicious time, nine, eight, seven, ”
At zero, Shen Youwei cut the ribbon.
“Wishing Shen Youwei’s studio a prosperous opening!!” The cheer squad shouted in unison, obviously rehearsed.
“Thank you!” Shen Youwei placed the scissors on the tray, speaking sincerely: “Although today’s ribbon-cutting is simple and no media were invited, thank you all for coming! Wishing us great success!”
“Woof woof woof!!”
“Tianquan says we’ll all prosper!”
The ribbon-cutting went smoothly, officially marking the opening of Shen Youwei’s studio. Luo Yu’s cheer squad friends left in a grand procession, leaving only Luo Yu behind: “To celebrate the opening, I’ll treat everyone to lunch.”
Guan Shanyan said: “It’s not even eight yet. Lunch is still four hours away.”
“…”
“How about this!” Shen Youwei clapped her hands. “Everyone go home and get some rest first!”
Luo Yu: “…”
Eventually, Luo Yu moved the lunch to the evening. People went home or to work. Guan Shanyan was the last to leave. Shen Youwei saw him still on the sofa and asked: “You’re not working today?”
Guan Shanyan looked slightly awkward. After a light cough, he said: “Want to go to Luming Hot Springs Resort this weekend?”

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