CHAPTER 13: FIERCE AND CUTE

Before the first public performance, the artist director of Sanjin Entertainment specifically invited the trainees back to the company.

The director smiled and said, “Today, this meal is on me.”

The other employees in the company looked on with envy and jealousy.

Wan Yue was also in rare high spirits.

The popularity of Rookie Girls was soaring, and she had already begun dreaming of her successful debut.

After they were seated in the restaurant, Wan Yue glanced around at the luxurious decor, and her thoughts became even more ambitious.

By the looks of it, the director clearly valued them highly now… She would take this opportunity to complain about Jiang Su!

Jiang Su sat against the wall, earbuds still in, soft music flowing through them. She tilted her head, leaning against the wall as if conserving energy.

To others, she seemed physically exhausted.

The director glanced at her and thought to himself, What a pity.

Wan Yue turned her head and couldn’t wait to speak. “Jiang Su is listening to music? Haven’t all the songs already been chosen?” She nudged her chin forward. “She’s teaming up with Wu Qingqing and Yu Xinyan, but not me. We’re not even from the same company…”

Before she could finish setting up her complaint, the director suddenly cut her off.

“Ah, hold on, let’s wait…”

With that, he strode out to greet someone. “Young Master Yan!”

The group looked up.

Who else could it be but Yan Yucheng?

Wan Yue and the others had never met Yan Yucheng up close before.

Dressed in a gray trench coat, his broad shoulders filled it out perfectly, giving him a tall and imposing figure. His facial features were strikingly handsome, and despite his young age, he exuded an intense masculine charisma.

Several girls unconsciously blushed.

Wan Yue scoffed internally. Back in the dorm, some had dismissed Young Master Yan as insignificant, saying he wasn’t worth cozying up to… But if they had the chance to sit at the same table as him, they’d definitely change their minds.

“Yan—” Wan Yue had just started speaking when she saw Yan Yucheng’s gaze land on Jiang Su.

The girl leaned weakly against the wall, staring off into space, seemingly lost in thought.

Yan Yucheng unconsciously glanced at his own arm.

…With just one swoop, he could probably lift her up entirely.

The director spoke up, breaking his thoughts. “Ah, today’s meal is on me. But Young Master Yan, you’re paying the bill!”

Yan Yucheng lowered his gaze and asked Jiang Su, “Didn’t sleep well last night?”

She looked too delicate, as if a gust of wind could blow her away. Even though he had already seen her strength firsthand, he couldn’t help but feel concerned. There was even an odd urge to take care of her.

Jiang Su didn’t respond, but Wan Yue eagerly answered for her. “She’s wearing earbuds. She can’t hear you.”

Yan Yucheng: “Oh.”

His expression remained neutral, not revealing any emotion.

Wan Yue grew uncertain about his attitude.

Jiang Su finally finished her song and removed her earbuds. She greeted him politely, albeit indifferently.

Yan Yucheng pushed the menu toward her. “…This place isn’t any worse than Qiuting Yue.”

Wan Yue and the others had all seen Jiang Su’s interview. Hearing this, they were momentarily stunned.

Jiang Su, however, didn’t overthink it.

Not worse than Qiuting Yue? That’s great.

She didn’t hesitate, picked up the pen, and quickly marked her selections on the menu.

Wan Yue: “…”

You really don’t see yourself as an outsider, huh?

Jiang Su: “All done.”

Yan Yucheng nodded, glanced over the selections briefly, then handed the menu directly to the waiter. “Serve the dishes.”

Wan Yue: ?

What about us?!

Wu Qingqing, being perceptive, immediately realized—perhaps they were just extras, here to make up the numbers.

The real guest being treated was Jiang Su.

So she wisely kept quiet and simply prepared to enjoy her meal.

As the dishes were brought out one by one, Yan Yucheng couldn’t help but ask, “Didn’t you get an A? Why would you choose to perform in a team?”

The girl before him was full of contradictions, like an endless enigma.

He couldn’t quite figure her out.

“For the company,” Jiang Su paused. “The company sent four of us.”

The director was momentarily stunned before breaking into a wide grin. Well, well! It’s rare to find such a conscientious artist!

Did I just hit the jackpot with this one?

I should reward Xu Dazhi properly another day!

Wan Yue pursed her lips.

For the company?

If she really cared about the company, why was she targeting her?

Bullshit. She was just saying the right things to curry favor with Young Master Yan and the director.

But Wan Yue still found it strange—Jiang Su had never spoken this way before.

She had always been cold and distant, perpetually melancholic, withdrawn into her own world, too indifferent to bother with anyone.

“Really?” Yan Yucheng chuckled.

He didn’t believe it.

But he didn’t ask any further.

At the dining table, Jiang Su was still the one eating most seriously. Her manner was elegant, as if she had been trained under the strictest etiquette.

The more Yan Yucheng observed, the more he found her hard to read.

He kept watching and couldn’t help but find it amusing. …If there was one thing that set Jiang Su apart from her, it was probably that he himself seemed like an upstart from humble beginnings, while Jiang Su looked like a lost pearl from a prestigious family, misplaced among commoners.

Because Yan Yucheng’s attitude was clearly unusual, Wan Yue held back until the very end and still couldn’t bring herself to say anything bad about Jiang Su.

“Finished eating?” Yan Yucheng asked.

Wan Yue immediately felt stifled—she was sure that question wasn’t meant for her.

Jiang Su responded, “Yes.”

Without hesitation, Yan Yucheng pressed the service bell, signaling for the waiter to clear the table.

“Send them out first,” Yan Yucheng said without even looking up.

The general manager acknowledged the instruction.

First?

Wan Yue and the others were briefly puzzled, then they saw the general manager ushering them out. Only Jiang Su remained seated.

Yan Yucheng had stopped her.

He asked, “Is it really for the company?”

Only then did Jiang Su lift her gaze to meet his. Her eyes were strikingly beautiful, as if veiled in mist, making her seem delicate and pitiful. But beneath that mist, there was a firm, unwavering light.

“For you,” Jiang Su said.

Yan Yucheng’s hand twitched, nearly knocking over his teacup.

His entire body tensed up.

Since arriving in Beijing, he hadn’t heard such a direct confession…

His mind felt like it was burning. He pulled out a cigarette pack and lighter, but when his eyes landed on Jiang Su’s pale complexion, he quickly tossed them back onto the table.

…Damn it.

What’s going on?

Jiang Su noticed his silence and inwardly sighed.

This guy doesn’t know how to carry a conversation…

Fine, I’ll talk.

Jiang Su said, “I overheard someone saying that since you’ve just taken over Sanjin Entertainment, you’re eager to prove yourself… So, ideally, all the artists under Sanjin should be popular and valuable, right?” Out of politeness, she added, “I wasn’t eavesdropping on purpose; they just happened to be talking right next to me.”

For a moment, Yan Yucheng couldn’t quite explain how he felt inside.

A girl this delicate, thinking about helping him?

There’s actually someone in Beijing who likes me this much?

Yan Yucheng couldn’t help but scrutinize Jiang Su carefully. There was no doubt—she was incredibly beautiful, smart, and capable… He pressed his tongue against his teeth, and for a brief moment, his heartbeat seemed to pick up.

He wanted to say, They don’t know a damn thing.

Sanjin was just a plaything to him.

It was only the outsiders who thought he was struggling.

Jiang Su waited for a response, but when Yan Yucheng remained silent, she sighed lightly in her heart and continued, “So, I want to help you.”

Damn it.

A soft little girl, handing over her sincerity like this.

Yan Yucheng clenched the lighter in his hand and said in a deep voice, “…Thanks. I’m really touched.”

Jiang Su thought, That’s great!

She grabbed the menu pen and a notepad. “Then let’s go over the profit-sharing arrangement again. If I help you make more money, can I get sixty percent?”

All of Yan Yucheng’s sentimental thoughts popped like a bubble.

The heat in his head instantly cooled down.

He slammed his fist on the table—neither fully angry nor amused.

So, after all that, she’s just a little money-grubber?!

Jiang Su: ?

Didn’t he just say “thanks, I’m really touched”? Why does he suddenly become so practical when it comes to money?

She pursed her lips, mimicked his motion, and slammed her fist onto the table as well.

A faint crack appeared on the surface.

Yan Yucheng: “…”

He pressed a hand against the table, lowered his head, and let out a helpless chuckle.

What the hell kind of creature is she? So damn cute and fierce!