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When Shengmei checked her view count, she nearly jumped with joy—
hundreds of thousands of views overnight!
Clearly, there were plenty of night owls out there.
Thinking of how much money could be earned from every ten thousand plays, Shengmei’s excitement was impossible to contain.
The moment she stepped out the door, she ran into Andy. Overcome with happiness, Shengmei hugged her tight and blurted out,
“Andy, I can’t thank you enough! The numbers are incredible this time. If it weren’t for your invitation to the banquet, I’d never have had this chance!”
Not used to such physical affection, Andy stiffened at first, but quickly eased.
“If there are similar events in the future, I’ll bring you along again.”
Shengmei shook her head, gently declining.
“Once or twice is special, but if it happens too often, the novelty fades. Still—thank you, Andy!”
Just then, Qu Xiaoxiao’s cat darted out of 2203, and she came chasing after it. Seeing Shengmei so cheerful, she couldn’t resist throwing a jab.
“Well, well, Sister Fan. Heard you went to a banquet with Andy yesterday. Got all dressed up, huh? So happy—what, are you thrilled you hooked a rich guy?”
Andy glanced at Shengmei, then at Qu Xiaoxiao.
But Shengmei didn’t get angry. Instead, she smiled sweetly and looked right at her.
“How do you know I looked pretty? Did you watch my video? Qu Xiaoxiao, I said before you’re like a childish boy who secretly likes girls—you denied it, but here you are, always picking at me, even paying attention to whether I look good or not. Don’t tell me you’re jealous? Maybe you even let your cat out on purpose just to come see me? If you like me, just say it. No need to hide—I won’t discriminate.”
Her long, teasing monologue left Qu Xiaoxiao gasping, unable to form a coherent retort.
Clutching her cat, she gave Shengmei a disdainful once-over, then tossed her head with an arrogant snort.
“You! Me, like you? Keep dreaming!”
Why did she even bother coming out? Every time, it was the same nonsense—claiming she liked her. What a lunatic!
If I’d known, I never would’ve given her those cosmetics. Kindness really doesn’t pay!
With a sharp bang, she slammed her door shut.
Shengmei burst into uncontrollable laughter, bent double, while Andy’s lips curved into an amused smile as well.
Andy hadn’t expected Qu Xiaoxiao to react so strongly—it was surprisingly entertaining.
When the laughter subsided, Andy frowned slightly.
“Shengmei… do you think Xiao Qu really…”
Seeing her expression, Shengmei quickly cut in,
“I was only joking!”
Andy had thought the same, yet after hearing the same tease several times, watching Qu Xiaoxiao’s flustered avoidance, and listening to Shengmei’s convincing delivery, she couldn’t help harboring some doubt.
Shengmei waved it off.
“Come on, you know she’s been all over that doctor lately. I should stop saying things like this in front of you—I just realized you actually believe me sometimes.”
Just then, Guan Ju’er walked up, with Senior Brother Lin following behind.
Both Shengmei and Andy immediately turned their attention to them, curiosity lighting their eyes.
Adjusting her glasses, Guan Ju’er introduced,
“Andy, Sister Fan, this is my colleague, my senior from school.”
Shengmei picked up the thread with a smile.
“Ah, so you’re the Senior Brother Lin Guan Guan always mentions! Handsome indeed. She’s always saying how much you look after her. So, what brings you here today?”
Andy glanced at her, then exchanged a look with Guan Ju’er.
Hadn’t Guan Guan told her something different before?
Clearly uncomfortable, Guan Ju’er shifted uneasily.
Senior Brother Lin then pulled out two tickets and handed them to her.
“I have a couple of tickets to a concert. I thought Guan Guan might like them, so I brought them over.”
Guan Ju’er accepted them awkwardly, mumbling a stiff thanks.
One look at Guan Ju’er’s expression, and Shengmei understood everything at once.
Sliding an arm around her shoulder, Shengmei turned to Senior Brother Lin with a bright smile.
“No wonder Guan Guan always thanks you, saying you look after her even during breaks. You’re really kind. These days, attentive guys like you are rare!”
She added playfully,
“Guan Guan’s always like a little sister to me. She’s not good with words, doesn’t know how to express her gratitude. So let me thank you on her behalf. Do you have a girlfriend? Tell me what kind of girl you’d like, and I’ll introduce someone to you!”
At that, how could Senior Brother Lin not get the hint? After some polite words, he glanced at Guan Ju’er once more, then took his leave.
As soon as he was gone, Guan Ju’er let out a long sigh of relief, her shoulders easing.
“Sister Fan, thank goodness for you. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have known what to do.”
“Oh, it was just a few words,” Shengmei waved it off, as if it were nothing.
But Guan Ju’er stared at the two concert tickets in her hand, unsure what to do.
“I should give them back to him when I’m at work tomorrow.”
Shengmei immediately shook her head.
“If you give them back, he definitely won’t take them. Refusing once is fine, but to return a gift he’s already handed over? Who could accept that?”
Still clutching the tickets, Guan Ju’er frowned.
“But this concert is expensive…”
She really didn’t want to owe anyone a favor.
Shengmei offered her a way out.
“Then later, just buy something of similar value—something neutral, that won’t cause misunderstandings—and give it to him. If you feel awkward, say it was my idea. After all, he’s already met me.”
It made sense, especially after Shengmei’s earlier words to Lin. Guan Ju’er nodded, finally convinced.
Then she asked softly,
“Sister Fan, would you like to go to the concert with me?”
Adjusting her glasses nervously, she added,
“You helped me out just now, so of course I should return the favor. The concert should be wonderful, and if I mention it to Senior Brother Lin later, it’ll sound better if I actually went. Plus, you could even make a video about it! The banquet one did so well.”
Shengmei pinched her cheek affectionately.
“Well, well—didn’t expect you to be so invested in my side business! In that case, I can’t say no.”
Guan Ju’er blushed and laughed.
Shengmei turned to Andy.
“Andy, what about you?”
Guan Ju’er quickly waved the tickets.
“Andy, there are three! We can all go together.”
Lin had originally bought three, planning to invite Guan Ju’er, but after Shengmei’s clever words, he ended up handing all three over.
Shengmei chimed in,
“Come on, Andy. It’ll be fun if we all go.”
After a moment’s hesitation, Andy nodded.
The concert was scheduled for the afternoon. At lunch, Shengmei’s phone rang. The caller ID made her heart sink—it was Old Hu, her former classmate.
She immediately remembered: this must be about Shengying.
When she picked up, Old Hu’s voice came through.
Shengmei had asked him to help find Shengying a job as a security guard. But, as it turned out, Shengying had gotten into a fight with the head guard in the main lobby—right in front of guests. The manager had no choice but to fire him on the spot.