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Chapter 28: Definitely the Tang Qingshuo 2.0

Fang Hexun sat in the back seat, staring directly at Yan Man beside him, silent for a long time, exuding intense pressure.

Yan Man felt so uneasy under his gaze that her heart was pounding. Her normally bright and alluring face was now less flamboyant. She asked quietly, “Why aren’t you saying anything?”

Fang Hexun replied expressionlessly, “What do you think?”

He looked like he was waiting for an explanation.

Yan Man lowered her head, gathered her courage, and admitted, “I’m in a relationship.”

Fang Hexun’s brows immediately furrowed. He sat up straight and raised his voice, “What did you say?”

“Don’t be so worked up. You have to keep it a secret,” Yan Man tugged at her brother’s sleeve.

Fang Hexun’s expression darkened. Based on what Yan Man had just said, he could guess who her boyfriend was. But he still asked, not wanting to believe it, “With who?”

“Tan Qishen.” Yan Man didn’t hide it.

Fang Hexun instantly pictured Tan Qishen’s face and closed his eyes, pressing his temples heavily. “You…”

Definitely the Tang Qingshuo 2.0.

What kind of karma was this?

Yan Man leaned back in her seat, watching the tree shadows flash by outside the window. She said quietly, “I know what I’m doing.”

Fang Hexun turned to look at her. As the light flickered across her face, he saw a faint sadness there. He felt a pang of heartache.

His voice softened, “Yiyi, are you serious about this?”

If she was serious about this relationship, he would naturally support it. It’d be even better if it helped her move on from the pain of Tang Qingshuo’s departure.

Even if it wasn’t quite fair to Tan Qishen, people are selfish sometimes—he just wanted his sister to be happy and healthy.

But what Yan Man said next made Fang Hexun furious.

“No, it’s just for fun. We’ll break up in a few months.”

There were still four months left on their agreement—just enough to get through the New Year.

Yan Man didn’t think there was anything wrong with her words, but to Fang Hexun, it sounded like his sister was a heartless player.

Fang Hexun sneered and questioned, “Just for fun? Do you think you can handle playing with someone like Tan Qishen?”

Mentioning the name “Tan” naturally brought to mind the Tan family in Beijing, especially this generation’s head, Tan Qishen. He was known to be even more ruthless than his father, Tan Zhanqing. Even the Fang family, miles away, had heard of him before working with the Tans.

Fang Hexun sighed, “If you don’t get yourself hurt in the end, I’ll be burning incense in gratitude.”

Yan Man quickly refuted, “I won’t. He doesn’t like me.”

Her tone was firm. But instead of reassuring Fang Hexun, it gave him more of a headache.

One is just playing around. The other doesn’t like her. How did these two even start dating?

“Are you using him as a substitute?” Fang Hexun asked.

Anyone who had seen both Tang Qingshuo and Tan Qishen would probably assume the same.

Yan Man shook her head. She didn’t like that word. “Don’t make it sound so bad. I just like his face.”

“…”

Fang Hexun let out an exasperated laugh.

What was the difference?

Worried her brother would scold her again, Yan Man changed the topic first, “Brother, let’s not talk about him anymore. I want to eat your cooking.”

The topic switch was abrupt, and Fang Hexun could tell. But he didn’t press on.

Though still angry, it had been months since he last saw his sister. Her little request—he could definitely grant it.

He instructed his assistant, “Chen Xin, drive to Xicheng District.”

The two returned to Yan Man’s home together.

Fang Hexun had studied abroad for a few years, during which he became quite the chef—his cooking could rival professionals. Rumor had it he won over his girlfriend (Yan Man’s now sister-in-law) through his cooking.

Yan Man didn’t know how to cook, but her fridge was always fully stocked thanks to regular grocery runs.

Fang Hexun made a few dishes based on Yan Man’s tastes.

Yan Man ate happily, not forgetting to praise him, “Your food is the best, brother. If you’re second, no one dares claim first.”

Fang Hexun suppressed a smile, handed her a napkin, and playfully scolded, “You little rascal.”

After she finished eating, he asked slowly, “What’s this about a movie? You just started modeling and now you’re becoming an actress?”

Yan Man shook her head, “Not exactly. It’s just a chance that came up, and I wanted to try.”

Fang Hexun nodded. “As long as you’re happy. What movie is it? Need me to invest?”

“No, no need. It’s a big-name director’s film—investors are lining up.”

Yan Man was worried her brother would invest and get her labeled as someone who ‘bought her way into the cast.’ Back when she was studying abroad, the Fang family often donated buildings or equipment to her schools, which made the staff treat her differently. But Yan Man didn’t like that.

“Oh right, my stage name is Yan Man now. Don’t call me by the wrong name.”

She reminded him.

Her real name was Fang Zhiyi, but after coming to Beijing, she adopted the stage name Yan Man. The Fang family pulled some strings to erase her old name, so most people in Beijing only knew her as Yan Man.

Fang Hexun replied grumpily, “I’ll just pretend I don’t know you in public.”

Yan Man smiled, “That’s for the best.”

Fang Hexun stayed for more than two hours. The siblings chatted excitedly. Near midnight, when he saw her yawn, he ended the conversation and got ready to leave.

“Seeing you doing alright puts me at ease. I’m heading out. Rest well and get ready for work tomorrow.”

Yan Man was surprised. “You’re leaving tonight?”

“You’re going to set tomorrow. Why would I stay?” Fang Hexun said.

He’d originally planned to stay in Beijing for a few more days to be with his sister, but the timing didn’t work out—she had work. Still, she’d be coming home in less than a month.

“You could leave tomorrow,” Yan Man tried to keep him around, tugging on his sleeve and acting cute.

“Missing your sister-in-law,” Fang Hexun said calmly.

“…”

Yan Man immediately let go of his hand.

She shouldn’t have tried to make him stay—now she got hit with PDA.

“I’ll walk you out.”

She got up and followed him.

Fang Hexun nodded, grabbed his blazer, and walked out with her.

Outside the villa, a silver-gray Maybach was still waiting.

This was a wealthy neighborhood, luxurious and private. No one noticed the black Cullinan that had just silently parked in the shadows nearby.

“President Tan, Miss Yan is coming out,” Wen Bo said, spotting figures at the villa entrance.

Tan Qishen had just been about to get out of the car when he saw another figure appear beside Yan Man.

Tall, clearly a man.

Tan Qishen narrowed his eyes, his gaze suddenly turning cold. The hand holding the necklace gift box clenched unconsciously, wrinkling the box’s wrapping.

As Yan Man and the man walked a few more steps forward, Tan Qishen gradually saw the man’s face clearly.

In the dim light, the man’s sharp and cold features became more defined.

Tan Qishen’s eyes darkened instantly.

Why is it him?

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