Chapter 33: Cheng Suqiu

Zhou Yan woke up quite early today. Now that the matter involving Yu Ling was settled, Chi Ran—that guy—actually had a shred of conscience and granted him a three-day break.

His cozy vacation life had officially begun!

On the first day, he turned off his phone, silenced all notifications, and spent the entire day lounging comfortably at home. He would order takeout when he woke up, play games after eating, and once he grew tired of gaming, he would pull the covers over his head and drift back to sleep. While this lifestyle wasn't exactly healthy, it was undeniably blissful.

After enjoying such a relaxed day, Zhou Yan felt fully recharged.

"Should I hit the gym today?"

Humming a tune, Zhou Yan stepped out of the kitchen with a happy, dancing gait, carrying a plate topped with a freshly made sandwich.

However, this tranquil, leisurely breakfast was interrupted by a sudden phone call. Zhou Yan frowned, leaving his hand idle, hoping the caller would eventually give up. But the person on the other end was persistent, calling again and again, refusing to quit.

Worn down, Zhou Yan lost his temper. He scratched his head in annoyance and reached for the phone. Which heartless soul was making death-defying calls on his day off? Did a top-tier agent not deserve a holiday?

The sight of the name "Chi Ran" pulsing on the screen made Zhou Yan particularly furious. He made a few threatening gestures in the air before finally, dejectedly, answering the call.

The reason? Life was hard, and he didn't dare not to answer. Given Chi Ran's temperament, if someone didn't pick up his call, he certainly wouldn't try again. The fact that he hadn't given up after three calls meant something major must be happening. The moment this thought crossed his mind, Zhou Yan’s scalp began to tingle.

"Xiao Chi, didn't we agree that I’d have three days off?" Zhou Yan’s voice was filled with resentment. He even went so far as to call Chi Ran "Xiao Chi"—a sign that his courage had grown, or perhaps he was just courting disaster.

"I did say I’d give you three days off..."

Before Chi Ran could finish, Zhou Yan interjected impatiently, "Then why are you calling to bother me?"

...

After two seconds of silence, Zhou Yan heard Chi Ran’s chilling voice. "If I had known you didn't want to see Cheng Suqiu, I certainly wouldn't have called you."

Zhou Yan’s brain froze for three seconds. When he finally spoke, his voice was trembling. He stammered, "Qiuqiu... is she..." He took a deep breath before managing to ask a complete sentence: "Is Qiuqiu back?"

Chi Ran gave a curt, "Mm."

Zhou Yan was instantly struck dumb. His tongue felt like it was tangled with his teeth; he couldn't get a word out. Her every smile and gesture, unbound by time, danced joyfully in his memory.

After a long while, he said, "Ran, thank you." This expression of gratitude was sincere.

Then, he heard Chi Ran’s insufferable voice: "Don't be in such a rush to thank me. I expect a return on this favor."

Zhou Yan: "..." Was it too late to take back his emotions and his thanks? He sighed and asked, "What do you want me to do for you?"

Chi Ran was blunt with his demands. "Yu Ling has agreed to join Huanxing. I’ve already had Xu Dong coordinate with her manager. I need you to help negotiate the follow-up process and preparations for the official announcement."

Hearing the request, Zhou Yan breathed a sigh of relief. Thankfully, it wasn't a major issue. His heart was already flying toward the person who had returned from Paris; if Chi Ran had assigned him anything more troublesome, he might have just lunged at him for a fight, choosing to go down in flames.

Zhou Yan sipped his coffee. "Anything else?"

Chi Ran: "Yes."

Zhou Yan: "..." He really shouldn't have asked. He said, "I was just being polite, you don't have to tell me."

"Pick a reality show with a reputable production team. I want to participate in it with Yu Ling."

Zhou Yan suddenly realized what was going on—this guy was just asking him to be a wingman for his romance.

"I can do that," Zhou Yan hesitated, "but Yu Ling just won a PR battle. After all, she still wants to be an actress—shouldn't she hurry up and join a production team?"

Chi Ran only replied, "That’s too slow."

Chi Ran left it at that, not elaborating further. But Zhou Yan understood his subtext. Yu Ling currently had no upcoming projects. The process of choosing a script, auditioning, joining a production, and waiting for the show to air would take a very, very long time. The audience's patience was short, and the internet moved rapidly; there would always be a new trending topic. By the time Yu Ling's new drama aired, she would likely have been forgotten by the casual public.

It would be better to take advantage of the momentum and join a "slow-living" variety show—one that showcased a person's character—as a guest for an episode or two. Ideally, one that included a segment at the end of each episode where the cast gathered around a dinner table to share semi-sincere heart-to-hearts. With Yu Ling's current popularity, a massive number of people would definitely tune in.

If she performed well and said a few sentimental things that resonated with the audience, wouldn't her image be firmly established? She could solidify her fanbase—a win-win.

Zhou Yan had to admit that Chi Ran's plan was truly brilliant. He chuckled and teased, "It seems I’m not as far-sighted as you are. Why don't you quit being a singer and switch to being an agent? You could manage Yu Ling yourself—what a perfect vantage point to get what you want."

As soon as he finished, Chi Ran fell silent. After a long moment, Zhou Yan heard his muffled voice. "I can't. An agent works behind the scenes. It's not like being a singer, where I can stand in the spotlight and be with her openly."

Zhou Yan: "..." He was left speechless again. "No, man. I was just joking, you actually considered it?"

Chi Ran replied with a "Mm," and then gave him an address. "Qingcheng Night, 7:00 PM. I’ve given you the time and place; you can find the person yourself."

With that, he hung up, leaving Zhou Yan with nothing but a dial tone.

Zhou Yan stared at the dark phone screen, stunned. Prioritizing love over brotherhood—this guy was something else. What a "great" friend he was.

Zhou Yan tossed his phone aside, sat back at the table, and ate his sandwich while wearing a silly grin. Qiuqiu was coming back. Three years. He had spent every single second of those three years missing her, each day feeling like a year. Finally, after all his longing, she was back.

After finishing breakfast, Zhou Yan spent the day in high spirits, watering his plants and pruning the leaves. Thinking of seeing Qiuqiu that evening, he even went to the gym on the first floor and pumped iron for two hours.

When he showered, he specifically used the fragrant body wash—the one Qiuqiu used to love. Afterward, Zhou Yan applied a face mask, styled his hair, and carefully selected his outfit, striving for perfection in every step.

By the time he had finished grooming himself from head to toe, the clock had already struck four in the afternoon. He grabbed his car keys and rushed out, heading straight for Qingcheng Night.