Chapter 33

Chapter 33

Shen Yan pressed the cool, damp tissue and asked Shen Lin, "When did you learn to cook noodles?"

"I can't remember exactly. It's been a long time."

Shen Yan couldn’t figure out why, in his past life, when it was just the two of them at home, Shen Lin never made noodles and instead always prepared dishes he wasn’t good at.

Could it be that after everything happened, Shen Lin had always resented him?

Shen Lin shifted uncomfortably under his gaze and rubbed his arm. "Why are you staring at me like that?"

Remembering the time when they had to rely on each other, Shen Yan couldn’t help but ask, "Shen Lin, if one day it’s just the two of us at home, and you know how to make delicious noodles, why didn’t you ever cook them?"

The question was a bit confusing, and Shen Lin took a moment to process what Shen Yan was getting at.

"What do you mean by 'just the two of us'? What about Aunt Wang?"

Shen Yan’s expression turned serious. "Mom will be gone for a long time, and Dad is no longer with us. It’ll just be the two of us at home."

The topic hit Shen Lin hard, and he felt an inexplicable sense of sadness.

It was just a hypothetical scenario from Shen Yan, so why did it make him feel so sad?

After a pause, he replied softly, "If that situation really happened, it would probably be because of Dad."

"And if we were still on bad terms like a month ago, I was afraid you’d throw the whole bowl at me."

Hearing this, Shen Yan was taken aback but then relaxed. "I thought you were avoiding me and making bad food to punish me."

Shen Lin blushed and retorted, "Who said I dislike you? And it’s not like I’ve ever cooked for you before."

Shen Yan didn’t stay home for long and went back to school the next day.

The entry for the LA Design Competition had been submitted, and now all he could do was wait for the results.

Shen Yan had a clear understanding of his goals. He loved design, but he also needed to build a reputation for his future career.

Back in his dorm, Shen Yan searched for a while before finding a flyer in one of his textbooks advertising the micro-film club’s recruitment drive.

He also ran a short video account with over a million followers. Despite posting videos infrequently, it wasn’t easy to accumulate so many followers.

However, in jewelry design, quality always mattered more than quantity.

Collaborating with others was a great way to gain exposure and find new opportunities quickly.

This was something he had learned from managing G.E. after Shu Qianfei in his past life.

But these were just extras; the most important thing was still the quality of his work.

Shen Yan glanced at the flyer and saw that the recruitment deadline was September 30th.

Shen Yan: ...

Today was October 7th. So, the deadline had already passed?!

Shen Yan felt like someone had dumped a bucket of cold water on him.

He glanced at the contact info and decided to give them a call. Maybe there was still a chance.

The phone rang twice before it was picked up.

Shen Yan: "Hi, is your club still accepting new members?"

The girl on the other end sounded rushed. "Sorry, we're not taking any more members right now."

There was a lot of background noise, and the call was cut off abruptly.

Shen Yan felt a bit disappointed. He'd been so focused on the La design that he'd missed out on this opportunity.

Looks like he'd need to find another way.

After his unsuccessful morning, Shen Yan spent the rest of the day in his dorm, going over the design sketches Mr. Tang Yun had given him. Before he knew it, he was so absorbed that he only left when his stomach started growling.

It was the last day of the break, and plenty of students were already back on campus, making it pretty crowded.

As he stepped out of his dorm, Shen Yan heard someone calling his name. He turned around to see Xie Shiyu approaching.

His first instinct was to run.

But then he chuckled. There was no real reason to avoid Xie Shiyu.

Of course, that was assuming Xie Shiyu wasn't with Hu Chengyu.

But thinking about it, aside from their chance meeting on the island, he hadn't really seen Xie Shiyu and Hu Chengyu hang out much.

Especially during the entire National Day holiday, when Hu Chengyu had been with him in Cloud City.

When did Hu Chengyu and Xie Shiyu start seeing each other?

Lost in thought, Shen Yan was snapped back to reality as Xie Shiyu quickly approached him.

Xie Shiyu still had that faint smile, which made him look incredibly handsome.

Especially his dark, almost ink-like eyes, which looked stunning in the sunlight.

Shen Yan: "What a coincidence."

Xie Shiyu pouted. "Not a coincidence at all. I've been hanging around the dorms for a while, hoping to run into you."

His expression was so cute, like what girls often describe as a "puppy dog."

Shen Yan was a little surprised. "You wanted to see me? Is there something you need?"

"Well, actually, I need Yan Yan's help with something," Xie Shiyu said, looking at Shen Yan.

Shen Yan found Xie Shiyu's overly cheerful personality a bit overwhelming.

Especially now, with Xie Shiyu looking like such a sweet guy.

Almost as if under a spell, he asked, "What is it?"

Xie Shiyu: "So, during my grad school prep, I met a senior who's the president of the Micro Film Club.

They're planning to shoot a short film, but one of the supporting actors had an accident, and now they're short-staffed.

She asked me to help find someone suitable for the role."

Shen Yan asked offhandedly, "But didn't the Micro Film Club stop accepting new members already?"

Xie Shiyu's expression darkened for a brief moment before returning to normal. "How did you hear that they're not recruiting, Yan Yan?"

They had indeed stopped recruiting.

He was the one who brought this up with that senior.

Shen Yan didn’t hold back and replied, "I just checked with them today."

They said they weren’t taking new members earlier, but now they seem to need someone.

Shen Yan found this a little odd.

Xie Shiyu must have noticed the confusion in Shen Yan’s eyes because he explained, "This role is pretty unique. The character is supposed to be a stunning beauty, and not many people can pull it off, so the standards are pretty high."

"Did you ask them in person, Yan Yan?"

Shen Yan shook his head. "I reached out via text."

"That’s exactly it," Xie Shiyu continued. "If you just send them a photo, I’m sure they’ll agree right away."

"Maybe I’m just lucky. Since you’re interested too, would you consider my request?"

Shen Yan had a hunch that something was off with Xie Shiyu, but seeing his bright, handsome smile, he figured he was probably overthinking it.

When Shen Yan nodded, Xie Shiyu grinned and took his hand. "Then let me take you out to eat!"

Thinking about Xie Shiyu’s background, Shen Yan shook his head. "No, let me treat you. You’re the one doing me a favor here."

Shen Yan skipped the cafeteria and took Xie Shiyu to a restaurant off campus.

Xie Shiyu was full of knowledge and chatted nonstop along the way. His voice was soothing and not at all annoying.

Shen Yan thought it was no wonder someone like Hu Chengyu, the eldest young master, would like Xie Shiyu. Being around him was indeed a breath of fresh air.

Xie Shiyu explained the general plot of the short film as they went, and Shen Yan listened while brainstorming accessory designs.

Then he shook his head and chuckled, wondering if the other person would even go for it.

If the other person didn’t need it, there wasn’t much he could do about it.

On the main road outside the school, Lu Zhao slowed down, scanning for a parking spot. He kept rambling, “Uncle Hu is really set on getting you and Meng Yiyi together this time.”

“Besides, Meng Yiyi’s father is quite powerful. They say no one in Zhu City dares to cross him.”

“But it’s odd. Why does he insist on marrying his daughter into Jing City?”

“Is he trying to get a slice of the pie in Jing City? He’s reaching pretty far, but I’m afraid he might... Hey, isn’t that Yan Yan?”

Hu Chengyu, who had been resting in the passenger seat, suddenly opened his eyes and followed Lu Zhao’s gaze. Sure enough, he spotted Shen Yan.

Through the glass, he could see Shen Yan sitting in the restaurant, laughing happily.

“The guy sitting across from Yan Yan is Xie Shiyu? When did they get so close? They’re even having dinner together alone.”

He muttered the last part under his breath.

Hu Chengyu shot Lu Zhao a cold look. “What’s it got to do with you?”

Lu Zhao choked on his words. "Can't I be curious?"

He parked the car and, while unbuckling his seatbelt, said, "I was worried Shen Yan would hear about your blind date with Miss Meng and get upset. But it turns out he's out having dinner with someone else."

"Looks like the little brother who used to tag along with us has really grown up."

"If I'd known Shen Yan had moved on, I wouldn't have tried to set you two up for Cloud City. I could've taken him myself and avoided getting chewed out by Xiao Lin... Hey, wait up, bro."

Hu Chengyu, clearly fed up with his nonstop chatter, got out of the car and walked off without another word.

Meanwhile, Xie Shiyu suddenly reached out to touch Shen Yan's temple, making him jump.

"What's going on?"

Xie Shiyu said, "You had something in your hair."

He opened his hand to reveal a small, crumbled leaf.

"Thanks. Looks like autumn is really here—leaves are starting to fall," Shen Yan said, brushing his temple.

Glancing at the two who had walked away, Xie Shiyu smiled and said, "By the way, my senior is free later. Want me to take you to meet her?"

They met in a school clubroom. The senior was strikingly beautiful, spoke with authority, and exuded the confidence of a career professional.

Xu Tong paused for a moment when she saw Shen Yan, then quickly recovered her composure and extended her hand. "You're even more handsome in person."

Leaning in a bit closer, she added with a smirk, "Actually, I think 'pretty' fits you better."

Xie Shiyu, standing next to Shen Yan, gritted his teeth and said through clenched jaws, "Senior!"

Xu Tong waved him off. "Relax. I just like handsome guys. Shen Yan, do you have a boyfriend?"

Shen Yan hesitated, unsure how to respond.

He wasn't sure how to handle someone as direct as Xu Tong.

Shen Yan replied, "No, and I don't plan on having one anytime soon."

Xu Tong didn't press further into his personal life and instead asked, "Have you had any acting experience before? Like in school plays or class performances?"

Shen Yan's voice wavered, as if recalling something unpleasant. "Yeah."

He had always been delicate and pretty, and from kindergarten onward, he was often coerced into playing princess roles, all the way until he graduated from elementary school.

The boys his age even called him 'Little Princess.'

Recalling those childhood memories, Shen Yan's expression darkened. "Sorry, that was a long time ago, so it probably doesn't count as real experience."

Xu Tong said, "That's fine. Experience is important, but natural talent and charisma matter even more."

"Xie Shiyu should have given you a general idea of the role we're looking for, right?"

"Time is tight, so send me your class schedule, and I'll coordinate everything."

Shen Yan looked puzzled. "Did I pass the audition?"

Xu Tong playfully pinched Shen Yan's cheek and clicked her tongue. "Even if you played a wooden figure in the short film, I'd still come out on top."

Xie Shiyu grabbed her wrist and gently pulled her aside, smirking, "You were the one who hung up on Yan Yan earlier, and now you're buttering her up."

Xu Tong's back stiffened as she stared at Shen Yan in surprise. "So, you were the one who called today?"

Shen Yan nodded quietly.

Xu Tong's face twisted in confusion, and she dragged Xie Shiyu to the side, whispering, "I'm totally lost here, let me think this through."

"Didn't you say you wanted to invite him and have me reserve the supporting role for him? How did it end up with me turning him down?"

Author's Note:

I'm here!

I made some changes to the ending because it didn't align with Yan Yan's character before.