Chapter 16: Send Me Jiang Wan’s WeChat

That night.

Other topics related to Love for the First Time practically took over the trending charts.

#It’s Hard for Homebodies to Fall in Love
#The Reason You’ve Been Single Since Birth Is…?
#Ideal Type: Journey to the West
#Jiang Wan Has a Sharp Tongue But Talks a Lot

…and so on.

When the guests met for the first time—four people sitting in silence—they broke the unspoken rule of the entertainment industry: pretending to be friendly acquaintances even when you’ve never met. The awkwardness was so real that netizens couldn’t help but cry out, “Finally, something genuine!”

Before the show aired, netizens were skeptical about the claim that all six cast members had never dated.

But now? No more doubts.

Just look at them—besides Song Yanyan, do any of the others even seem like they could get a date?

Xie Yiyi’s mouth? Doesn’t speak.

Jiang Qi’s mouth? Can’t say anything pleasant.

Shang Guyu’s mouth? He doesn’t even speak human language!

Shi Lan, being an idol, had the moral code of one etched on her forehead. She nearly did a backflip to escape when she almost had physical contact with Jiang Qi in the haunted house. What more do you want from her?

As for Jiang Wan?

She looked completely immersed in her own world, like she had no concept of what love even was.

When asked about her ideal type, she imagined Journey to the West. During the role-play as a couple, she insisted on playing the greasy man—and pulled it off flawlessly. She even managed to go on a “date” with Song Yanyan during the love-themed variety show.

This episode’s hottest guest was, without a doubt, Jiang Wan. Over the course of a single episode, she completely overturned the public’s previous impression of her, washing away some truly absurd black rumors in the process.

Her manager, Sister Yang, called proudly, “Didn’t I tell you this show suited you perfectly? All that effort I made to get you this spot was worth it! And you didn’t let me down!”

Jiang Wan replied dryly, “Heh. I remember you saying everyone else in the company has dated before, so I was the only one left to appear on this show.”

Sister Yang chose to ignore that. “If you’re tired, get some rest. Several projects are reaching out. I’ve emailed them to you—check tomorrow and make a choice. Get back to me early.”

She hung up immediately after.

Meanwhile…

Xie Yiyi returned home.

He found someone sitting cross-legged on his couch, munching on his snacks and petting his cat.

Xie Yiyi twitched at the corner of his mouth and asked, “Meng Yan, why are you in my house at this hour?”

He had given Meng Yan a spare key, but only to help feed his cat. Since when did that become an excuse to enjoy his home?

Meng Yan ignored the question completely and changed the topic with a smile: “I watched the livestream. You did better than I expected. You even managed to bond with the group through your cooking.”

Xie Yiyi ignored that and went straight to the point: “I’m going to wash up and rest.”

“So cold. Truly heartbreaking.”

Meng Yan pretended to look upset, but as soon as Xie Yiyi opened the door, he straightened up and said seriously, “Okay, I’m not joking anymore. I’m here for a reason.”

Xie Yiyi looked at him in silence, his face clearly saying: Spit it out and then leave.

Meng Yan said bluntly, “Send me Jiang Wan’s contact info.”

Xie Yiyi: “?”

Seeing Xie Yiyi’s guarded expression, Meng Yan quickly explained, “Don’t look at me like that. It’s for a legitimate reason! I’ve got a new drama coming up, and I think she’s perfect for the second female lead. I want to talk to her.”

Xie Yiyi was still skeptical. “Why not go through her agency?”

Jiang Wan was signed under Huaying Media, a well-known company in the industry. She wasn’t some freelancer. Why would he need to contact her privately?

Meng Yan shrugged and took the opportunity to stroke Xie Yiyi’s cat again as he replied, “I did. Yesterday. They rejected me today.”

Now it was Xie Yiyi’s turn to be surprised. “Even your name didn’t help?”

Meng Yan was considered a genius in the directing world these past few years.

He was known for the stunning aesthetics of his cinematography. Even when filming TV dramas, every frame looked like a movie. His shows consistently performed well and launched many careers.

Jiang Wan’s popularity mostly came from scandalous rumors and controversial fame. Though she had once won Best Newcomer early in her career, her projects in recent years had failed to deliver. Her resources had dwindled year by year, and every drama she appeared in flopped.

A chance to star in one of Meng Yan’s productions? Even if it were just for the third or fourth female lead, her agency should’ve jumped on it.

Even standing in Xie Yiyi’s home, Meng Yan still looked around mysteriously before lowering his voice and saying, “There’s a big story behind this.”

Xie Yiyi raised an eyebrow, gesturing for him to continue.

When it came to gossip, Meng Yan lit up.

He plopped back onto the couch and spoke like a storyteller: “When Jiang Wan debuted, she played a little fox in Jade Legacy and won the Golden Deer Award for Best Supporting Actress. She was beautiful and lively on screen—easily the most promising rising star that year. But then what happened? Why did her career stall completely?”

Xie Yiyi glanced at the door again.

As if to say: Say it already or get out.

Meng Yan panicked and blurted it all out: “Rumor has it—she offended some bigwig! They pressured her company and limited her career. Any good script that could’ve gone to her got rejected right away! I can tell you don’t dislike her! My shoot is about to start, and I haven’t found the right person! Just help her out and help me too!!”

Xie Yiyi understood now, but he was still surprised.

He asked, “You care that much?”

There were countless actresses in the industry eager to work with Meng Yan. Jiang Wan’s performance today had been good, but not so exceptional that she should warrant all this effort from him.

Meng Yan’s expression grew complicated. “You don’t get it. She’s perfect for this.”

Xie Yiyi didn’t understand.

Then Xie Yiyi read the script—and he understood.

The second female lead in Spring Doesn’t Return: Princess Fengwu.

She adored beautiful men, kept male concubines, and dabbled in political power.

Xie Yiyi added Jiang Wan’s WeChat from a production group chat, and after verifying the contact, sent her profile to Meng Yan.

Meng Yan was dumbfounded.

Wait a second—so you two still hadn’t exchanged contact info up till now!?