On the way back to the company, Assistant Xiao Zheng who had been quietly observing Ji Ran’s unusually good mood since leaving the pet shop, couldn’t help but quietly remind him.

“Ji Ge, you know our company doesn’t allow male idols to date…”

His words immediately caused Ji Ran to lose his smile. He shot Xiao Zheng a quick glance.

“I just think this little fan is really cute, like a little sister. You know what to say to Wang Jie when we get back, right?”

(Jie- older sister)

Wang Jie was the main manager of Scorching Sun, the agency that had originally launched their youthful group. Since Ji Ran and the other two members of the trio had grown into adulthood, Wang Jie had become particularly vocal about relationships.

“Dating is for ordinary people. Male idols definitely can’t have girlfriends.”

“Understood, Ji Ge. I won’t say anything, I promise.”

The car fell silent. In the darkness, Ji Ran’s face, still handsome, seemed to have lost the gentleness it had shown beside Gu Yingying. His eyes, once soft, now looked deep and heavy with a storm brewing in his piercing blue gaze.

Perhaps this was the real Ji Ran—the one who had been fearless as an orphan, and later, through his own strength had carved out a name for himself in the entertainment industry.

Recently, photos of Ji Ran from his time at the orphanage had surfaced on Weibo. Not only that, but there were also claims that he had been the “bully” of the orphanage, often picking on the weaker children. The scandal had caused a huge stir within the industry, and Ji Ran’s commercial value had taken a hit. Many fashion resources had shifted toward the other two members of his group.

After all, compared to Ji Ran, the “beggar” prince from the orphanage, the other two idols in the group—An Mingquan and Cheng Mu Yang—came from much better backgrounds. One was from a scholarly family, and the other was a true heir of a wealthy family. While Ji Ran was the most popular member of Scorching Sun, he was also the most tightly controlled by the company.

Meanwhile, Gu Yingying had been sitting in the car, flipping through the album for a while. She hadn’t recognized the person at first, but when the driver noticed the album and smiled at her, she realized that it was an album from a boy band. The boy who seemed to shine in the photos was her “brother,” Ji Ran.

Curious, she took out her phone and looked up Ji Ran’s profile.

Ji Ran, the center (C-position) of Scorching Sun, was twenty-two this year but had been in the industry for six years. He debuted at sixteen, alongside two other sixteen-year-old boys, An Mingquan and Cheng Mu Yang, and they quickly rose to fame. Now in their sixth year, Ji Ran’s Weibo following had surpassed sixty million and was about to break seventy million making him one of the hottest young idols in the entertainment industry.

“Wow, Brother is amazing~” Gu Yingying couldn’t stop marveling at Ji Ran’s achievements, reflecting on how much he had accomplished since debuting at sixteen.

Although Bastet, her pet, didn’t understand human affairs, he was pleased to see Gu Yingying so happy. Instead of perching on her shoulder, he now walked alongside her as they returned home.

When Gu Yingying received Gu Xiao’s call earlier, she had been worried, but to her surprise, when she got home Gu Xiao wasn’t there!

It seemed that Father Gu and Mother Gu had gone upstairs, leaving only Gu Xuezhen downstairs. Upon seeing Gu Yingying, Gu Xuezhen walked over.

“I thought you wouldn’t be coming back.”

A mocking expression crossed her face, her features almost identical to Mother Gu’s—strikingly beautiful, yet giving off an air of arrogance. However, Gu Yingying didn’t sense much malice from her.

“I know Mom and Dad have already prepared a new household registration for me. Once I get it, I’ll leave.”

Gu Yingying looked at Gu Xuezhen apologetically, explaining that in this swap, Gu Xuezhen was also a victim.

Gu Yingying had learned this detail from the novel. Although she was only sixteen, and could apply for an ID, living independently still required a household registration. She was aware that the Gu family had removed her from their household registration.

Gu Xuezhen stood there, her gaze on Gu Yingying growing more complex. Sometimes, she wished the other girl would put up a fight to stay in the Gu household, so it would be easier for her to act without hesitation. But every time she saw the sincerity in those light brown eyes, she couldn’t help but wonder if she was being too harsh.

As the two stood in silence, a loud rumbling sound broke through the tension, causing Gu Yingying’s face to turn red with embarrassment as she hugged her stomach, nearly in tears.

She hadn’t eaten anything since school and was absolutely starving.

Her pitiful and somewhat bashful demeanor reminded Gu Xuezhen of the little yellow tabby cat she had raised as a child. Whenever it was hungry, it would look up at her with the same helpless expression.

“Alright, there’s food in the kitchen. I’ll take you over and let the chef know.”

Gu Xuezhen said, finally relenting. Given the awkwardness of Gu Yingying’s current status in the Gu household, she figured the chef might not follow her orders otherwise.

Gu Xuezhen turned and hurried off, as though trying to shake off some small trouble. But Gu Yingying quickly rushed over and, to her surprise, grabbed Gu Xuezhen’s hand.

“Xuezhen, you’re really too kind! I’m so hungry~”

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