YABE - 28

When Gu Heng’an saw Wen Siyu for the first time, he only felt that she looked somewhat familiar. Upon closer inspection, she seemed even more familiar than at first glance.

After recalling for a moment, he remembered her as the young assistant who had been introduced to the director during the filming of Never Look Back . The last time he saw her was over three months ago, at his wrap-up banquet.

And today, unexpectedly meeting her here was something Gu Heng’an truly hadn’t anticipated.

The girl was wearing a light pink cocktail dress — sleeveless, slightly puffed out, with a hemline five centimeters above the knee, revealing her slender white calves. A pair of high heels elongated her leg lines even further.

Her face was made up, her skin looked porcelain-white, her big eyes framed by soft lashes were strikingly different from the plain, ponytail-wearing girl he remembered from the film set.

At this moment, she was affectionately holding onto a man who appeared old enough to be her father, walking straight ahead without sparing him another glance.

Gu Heng’an raised an eyebrow and thought about it; he could understand why she pretended not to recognize him.

He shrugged it off and walked in.

Wen Siyu followed Wen Jingyao into the banquet hall. The stern-looking patriarch strode forward, occasionally turning his head to quietly ask her, “Do you know that person we just passed?”

Wen Siyu was startled: “Dad, are you some kind of divine-eyed spirit? He’s the second male lead from the drama set where I interned during summer break.”

Wen Jingyao made an acknowledging sound: “The drama your Uncle Li directed?”

“Director Li,” Wen Siyu corrected him seriously.

Wen Jingyao snickered, about to say something when a middle-aged man, quite stout, approached with a beautiful girl on his arm. His receding hairline was alarming, but his face was full of smiles as he extended his hand with a bow: “Mr. Wen!”

His voice boomed across the room, startling Wen Siyu’s heart. She smiled sweetly, remaining quiet throughout.

Having sent off several groups like a silent mute, Wen Siyu eyed the delicate desserts on a nearby table longingly: “Dad, are you hungry?”

Wen Jingyao shot her a disdainful look: “Can you stop embarrassing me? Have I starved you?”

Wen Siyu nodded vigorously: “Do you remember what you fed me and Comrade Wen Siyuan for dinner? Instant noodles, four yuan fifty cents per bucket. You didn’t even let us have cooked noodles. Adding an egg would have been nice.”

“Cooked noodles are cheaper than instant ones. I’m giving you something better. Do you think it’s easy raising you and your brother with such sacrifice?” The patriarch rolled his eyes where no one could see and frowned impatiently: “Go ahead and eat, then wipe your mouth.”

Wen Siyu was delighted and about to leave when Wen Jingyao pulled her back.

Confused, she looked up to see two approaching figures: Gu Heng’an and a man who bore a striking resemblance to him.

Clearly, this was his father.

Watching her cake dreams fly away, Wen Siyu’s lips drooped.

Unlike the previous men who wore expressions of ‘I’m here to suck up,’ Gu Heng’an’s father finally showed a genuine smile. Wen Siyu was surprised to see her family patriarch getting along well with Mr. Gu.

At this moment, the patriarch, who had a good relationship with Mr. Gu, was enthusiastically introducing her while tightly gripping her arm: “This is my daughter.”

Boss Gu gave her a deep look, smiling contentedly: “This is my son.”

Wen Siyu: “….”

Gu Heng’an: “….”

Wen Siyu sensed that the atmosphere had grown strangely tense.

Gu Heng’an, upon hearing Wen Jingyao’s words, was initially dumbfounded, then raised an eyebrow and looked at her with surprise.

The girl was no longer the meek and mild-mannered assistant Gu Heng’an remembered. She mirrored his expression, raising an eyebrow and locking eyes with him.

Inwardly, she scoffed: On set, you were the esteemed actor and I was just a lowly intern, easily crushed by anyone. But here, who cares who you are?

Who isn’t still a little princess?

Gu Heng’an was somewhat taken aback and chuckled first: “Hmm, I’ve met Miss Wen a few times before. I wonder if you remember.”

Wen Siyu smiled brightly: “How could I forget? Mr. Gu was so approachable, friendly, and easy to get along with, leaving a deep impression on me.”

She deliberately emphasized the words “approachable, friendly, and easy to get along with.”

Old Gu smiled: “Look how well these two kids are getting along.”

Wen Jingyao feigned surprise: “I never expected you two to be so compatible. Go ahead, youngsters, chat. We old folks will leave so you can relax.”

With that, he turned and left.

Wen Siyu: “….”

Acting as if it were real.

Silently turning her head, she happened to meet the man’s gaze.

Gu Heng’an was clearly at a loss for words, remaining silent.

The two stared at each other for a long time. As Gu Heng’an pondered how to break the awkward silence, the girl suddenly slumped her shoulders and sighed deeply: “Are you hungry?”

Gu Heng’an: “?”

“I’m starving. I want spicy hot pot.”

Gu Heng’an: “???”

Gu Heng’an never imagined that one day he’d be wearing a white suit, sitting with a woman in a cocktail dress at 9:30 PM, eating spicy hot pot at a roadside stall.

But that day had arrived.

The girl who came up with this idea sat next to him, kicking off her high heels and swinging her legs on a round metal chair, shouting towards the window: “Auntie, extra spicy, extra numbing, and add two yuan worth of cold noodles.”

“…”

Gu Heng’an felt his decades-long perception of wealthy young ladies crumbling because of Wen Siyu.

Expressionless, he watched as the girl gulped down two swigs of Coke, wrinkling her nose and closing her eyes with satisfaction, letting out a pleased “Ahh.” Then she asked him: “Want a bottle? It’s chilled, very refreshing.”

After a pause, she added, “Their spicy hot pot is super delicious, let me tell you. Their grilled skewers are amazing too.”

Gu Heng’an sneered, looking at her with disdain: “You think I’m like you? That I’d drink this? That I’d eat junk food like spicy hot pot and grilled skewers?”

Ten minutes later, he held chopsticks in his right hand and a glass bottle in his left, taking two big gulps, closing his eyes with a satisfied “Ahh,” and shouting towards the small window: “Auntie, add five more skewers of grilled mushrooms!”

Gu Heng’an had actually been hungry for a while. Now, the two faced each other in the tiny roadside shop, slurping noodles from their spicy hot pots.

Sniffing, the man offered his verdict: “Thick noodles are better than cold noodles.”

“Do you even know how to eat?” Wen Siyu clearly disagreed, looking at him with disdain. “The essence of spicy hot pot lies in the potato slices and cold noodles.”

Gu Heng’an: “Nonsense. Clearly, thick noodles have more texture. Where’s the appeal in soft, mushy cold noodles?”

Wen Siyu: “Cold noodles soaked in spicy hot pot broth are king. You’re not a true spicy hot pot enthusiast.”

Gu Heng’an: “Who says I’m not? My loyalty to spicy hot pot is undeniable.”

Wen Siyu snorted: “You didn’t even know this place. I brought you here. What qualifications do you have to argue with me?”

Gu Heng’an: “….”

Wen Siyu smirked: “Talk! Talk already! Come on, fight me! Weakling!”

Gu Heng’an: “….”

It’s true that relationships warm up over meals. After eating their fill, their friendship meter had risen significantly. With her stomach full, Wen Siyu was in a great mood: “I didn’t expect you to actually be pretty decent.”

Gu Heng’an crossed his arms and snorted: “What do you mean, ‘didn’t expect’?”

“You used to dislike me, didn’t you?” Wen Siyu slowly walked in her uncomfortable high heels. “Just because I knew the director, I got disliked for no reason. That’s unfair. I was so wronged.”

Gu Heng’an, feeling guilty, remained silent for a long time before muttering: “Well… not really.”

“What do you mean, ‘not really’?”

“It wasn’t that I disliked you. I just found you annoying.”

Wen Siyu: “….”

Wen Siyu: “???”

Suppressing the urge to throw her high heels at his face, Wen Siyu said expressionlessly: “I take back what I said earlier about you being decent. Our friendship is over.”

Gu Heng’an snorted and laughed.

They continued walking aimlessly until they reached the main road. Gu Heng’an hailed a taxi for her. Sitting in the back seat, Wen Siyu rolled down the window: “Young Master Gu, when you return, don’t forget to tell Mr. Gu some lies. Say that I’m difficult,任性, and unreasonable, and that you can’t handle me. Let him give up on me early. After all, my boyfriend and I are doing great.”

Gu Heng’an nodded: “I hope you don’t underestimate yourself. You’re exactly like that, and I’ll report honestly.”

Wen Siyu: “….”

Aside from that Friday night encounter, which was pleasant in some ways and unpleasant in others, Wen Siyu’s weekend passed as usual, very peacefully. However, while she was live-streaming on Saturday night, that fan of Four Imperial Guardians appeared again.

Seeing the familiar cannon icon on the screen, Wen Siyu quickly called out her name to stop her from sending gifts.

“Dear little fan, I feel your love, but I really don’t need the gifts. How about you send me two big gift packs of Want Want snacks instead?”

Jiang Xu, sitting in front of the computer, paused his mouse movement.

The sweet voice of the girl still echoed in his ears through the headset.

[Dear little fan.]

[Little fan.]

[Fan.]

Slowly, a smile spread across the man’s lips, and his eyes narrowed with pleasure.

Two big Want Want gift packs?

I’ll buy you twenty.