Chapter 4

Guan Shanyan didn’t usually attend these kinds of events. The only reason he’d come today was to network for his upcoming fashion brand launch.
He hadn’t expected to run into Chen Qing here.
Glancing toward him, Guan Shanyan said lightly, “You were right. Dresses like a model citizen, but his face screams trouble.”
Gu Fei blinked. “Since when do you read faces?”
“Just now.”
“Right.” Gu Fei could now confirm, Guan Shanyan was a total Shen Youwei fanboy.
The idea of this stoic, cold-faced man secretly being a fangirl-type devotee was honestly shocking.
“Chen Qing’s probably here with Madam Chen again. She’s pretty active in the fashion scene, knows a lot of people. You should network with her, could help your brand later.” Gu Fei knew Guan Shanyan hated socializing, but dragging him here was all for business. “You’re already here; you might as well do more than just sip wine.”
Guan Shanyan took a small sip and said calmly, “No need. They’re coming over.”
Sure enough, when Gu Fei turned, he saw Madam Chen heading their way, smiling so warmly she could’ve rivaled his grandmother. “You must be Mr. Guan. I’ve heard so much about you.”
Guan Shanyan extended his hand politely. “Hello, Madam Chen.”
Her smile brightened even more. “I was so disappointed I couldn’t attend your last show, work kept me away. Meeting you here feels like making up for it.”
Gu Fei, standing off to the side, suddenly felt like he’d turned invisible. He took a sip of wine and resigned himself to being background decor.
With Guan’s current level of fame, he didn’t have to chase connections. People lined up to chase him.
“Would you mind taking a photo with me?” Madam Chen asked eagerly, holding up her phone.
“…” Ever since that fashion show, Guan Shanyan had gotten plenty of practice in this area. He nodded slightly. “Of course.”
Delighted, she turned to Chen Qing and handed him the phone. “Don’t just stand there, help us take a picture.”
Chen Qing’s expression twisted. He knew who Guan Shanyan was, the man had made headlines after that show, with half the celebrities in attendance posting selfies with him. He just hadn’t expected his own mother to join the craze.
In his opinion, Guan Shanyan’s designs weren’t even that special. The only reason he was famous was that annoyingly perfect face of his.
“Done,” Chen Qing said curtly after taking the photo.
Only then did Guan Shanyan glance at him. “And this is?”
Madam Chen’s smile dimmed slightly. “Oh, my eldest son, Chen Qing.”
The Chen family was large, and Chen Qing, as her first son, ranked third among the siblings.
“I see.” Guan Shanyan nodded politely. “I’ve heard your youngest is quite the prodigy, winning awards and even appearing on TV while still in college. I imagine the eldest must be even more exceptional.”
Gu Fei nearly choked on his drink.
Ah. Designer Guan was officially attacking.
Sure enough, Madam Chen’s smile froze just a little. She quickly smoothed it over. “Haha, you flatter him. He’s nowhere near as talented as you. I saw your recent collection online and adored it.”
“Thanks.” Guan Shanyan raised his glass with a slight smile. “Did Young Master Chen come to this party because you’re also interested in fashion design?”
“Ha, him” Mrs. Chen glanced at Chen Qing. Interested in fashion, her foot, he was only here to ask her for money again.
She didn’t even know when he’d picked up that gambling addiction, but he already owed quite a lot. Until he kicked that habit completely, there was no way the family would give him another cent.
“You’d better get out of here before you embarrass yourself further,” Mrs. Chen hissed under her breath.
Chen Qing couldn’t make a scene now, so he just frowned and cast a look at Guan Shanyan. Was it his imagination, or did this man seem to be taking aim at him with every word he said, without ever saying anything directly?
He didn’t think he’d ever offended him, right?
“Mr. Guan, I heard you’re preparing to launch your own fashion brand?” Mrs. Chen, seeing that she couldn’t get rid of Chen Qing, smiled and continued chatting. Eventually, they exchanged contact information before she excused herself to greet other friends.
As they walked away, Gu Fei leaned closer to Guan Shanyan. “I thought only young girls liked you, but apparently even Mrs. Chen’s age group counts as part of your fanbase.”
Guan Shanyan caught the teasing in his tone but kept a calm face. “Looks are a gift from my parents. Nothing to envy.”
Gu Fei: “…”
Tch. Who’s envying you!
He downed his drink in one gulp, finally feeling a little better. “There’s a dinner with some bosses tonight, they want to meet you. You coming?”
Guan Shanyan declined without hesitation. “No. I’m having dinner at home tonight.”
Gu Fei gave him a strange look. “You sound like a married man when you say that.”
Guan Shanyan: “…”
“Home-cooked meals aren’t going anywhere, but that dinner could be good for networking.”
“Networking isn’t my problem,” Guan Shanyan replied coolly. “My problem is that too many people want to meet me.”
Gu Fei: “…”
Ah, to one day be able to talk that cockily,
Lately, Guan Shanyan had been working overtime and usually came home late, but tonight he managed to make it back before dinner. Guan Su happened to be walking out of the kitchen carrying a steaming dish of garlic vermicelli shrimp and looked surprised to see him. “You’re back early today?”
Yesterday, because Shen Youwei was coming over, his mother had called him home first thing in the morning. Guan Su assumed he’d be working late again today and had just told Shen Youwei not to wait for him for dinner.
Guan Shanyan just hummed in acknowledgment, said nothing more, washed his hands, and sat down at the table.
Shen Youwei didn’t greet him either. Xie Mingqiu’s gaze flicked between the two of them before she smiled and gestured toward the shrimp dish. “I prepped these earlier so you two don’t have to peel them yourselves.”
Neither of them responded. They simply started eating in silence.
After placing some food into her own bowl, Xie Mingqiu spoke again. “The peach blossoms are in full bloom lately. Lize Park is beautiful right now. Tomorrow’s Saturday, why don’t you two go see the flowers?”
Shen Youwei replied, “Weekend or not, it doesn’t make much difference for someone like me doing social media. Besides, I have to prep for a video shoot in a few days.”
“I have work tomorrow,” said Guan Shanyan.
“Work is endless,” Xie Mingqiu pressed gently. “How long would it take just to go see some flowers? And tomorrow there’s a Peach Blossom Festival organized by the community. There’ll be plenty of fun things to do!”
“That kind of event is for kids,” Guan Shanyan said flatly.
Xie Mingqiu chuckled. “Then it’s perfect for the two of you.”
Shen Youwei: “…”
That didn’t sound like a compliment.
She smiled and picked up a shrimp for her godmother. “Godmother, I’m a celebrity. People would recognize me.”
Beside her, Guan Shanyan let out a quiet snort.
The smile on Shen Youwei’s face froze. She turned toward him. “What’s so funny?”
“Nothing.” His lips curved slightly. “You just seem to think pretty highly of yourself.”
“So what if I do?” she shot back with a cold smile. “What’s it to you?”
“Yeah, mind your own business,” Xie Mingqiu came to Shen Youwei’s defense, then turned back to her. “Anyway, the Peach Blossom Festival will have free food, cotton candy, egg cakes, spicy hot pot skewers, popcorn, sugar-fried chestnuts, sweet noodles, all you can eat.”
“Really?” Shen Youwei’s eyes lit up, clearly tempted.
“Of course. And they’ll have sugar painting, too, your favorite when you were little. You used to stop and stare every time we passed one.”
She laughed awkwardly. “Well, if there’s that much food, maybe I’ll go take a look.”
Xie Mingqiu seized the chance. “Shanyan, you go with her, protect the celebrity.”
Guan Shanyan: “…”
Shen Youwei glanced at him and said quickly, “No need. A mask is enough.”
Her godmother shook her head. “You don’t understand. The festival’s giving food per headcount. If you go alone, you’ll only get half as much.”
“Uh, then why don’t you and godfather come with us? That way we’ll be four people and can try everything.”
“We’re too old for those things,” Xie Mingqiu said with a smile. “They’re for kids to enjoy.”
Shen Youwei: “…”
Yep. Definitely not a compliment.
Guan Shanyan stayed silent on whether he was going, and Shen Youwei didn’t bother asking. Instead, she picked out her outfit for tomorrow. When she was done, she sat down at her computer and logged into the forum.
The user who’d been spreading rumors about her still hadn’t deleted their post and was even arrogantly replying under her lawyer’s letter, saying she had no right to complain after “stealing someone’s boyfriend.”
Unable to hold back, Shen Youwei went live with her mic on: “Who stole whose boyfriend? I wouldn’t touch that trash even if you gave him to me!”
The rumor starter, who clearly stalked the forum obsessively, replied right away: “Yeah right, sour grapes. Sending a lawyer’s letter now? Who are you trying to scare?”
Shen Youwei typed furiously: “Then enjoy eating rotten grapes for the rest of your life. We’re already in the process of getting your real info from the platform. Spreading lies might feel good now, but crying in court won’t be as fun.”
Meanwhile, Guan Shanyan had just changed clothes and was about to shower when Gu Fei called. “What is it?”
“Get on the forum, now! Your goddess is fighting someone live!”
His brows furrowed slightly. “My goddess?”
“Who else? Shen Youwei!”
Guan Shanyan paused a moment, then hung up and opened the forum.
At that hour, the site had hit a new record for online users, everyone had come to watch the drama. Shen Youwei had been heated earlier, but once her lawyer told her to stop replying, she calmed down.
By the time Guan Shanyan entered, only the rumor-monger was still raging. Just as people were losing interest, a user claiming to be Xu Kairai posted a new thread.
It was short. She said she and Chen Qing were doing well, Shen Youwei hadn’t stolen anyone’s boyfriend, and the earlier post was entirely made up. But at the end, she added a line: Please stop slandering Mr. Chen, Ms. Shen.
After reading all of Shen Youwei’s responses, Guan Shanyan replied under Xu Kairai’s post: “Slandering? Her comments on Mr. Chen were pretty accurate, if you ask me.”