Pei Qingjian: ???
What time is it? So early to shower?
Watching his back as he left, Pei Qingjian frowned.
Wait—he suddenly realized something: just now, Lan Xingchen hadn’t denied what he said.
So…
Pei Qingjian’s eyes widened in disbelief. Ning Rong really was Zhou Man’s daughter?
No—that couldn’t be. Pei Qingjian checked her birthdate online. Ning Rong was twenty-seven. Even if Zhou Man kept herself in exceptional condition, she couldn’t possibly be nearly fifty.
If Ning Rong wasn’t her biological daughter, she had to be the child of Zhou Man’s ex-husband.
Then why did she stay with Zhou Man instead of with her biological father?
Was her father already dead?
Or did she simply not like him?
Pei Qingjian couldn’t figure it out.
While pondering, his phone rang.
He answered, asking, “What’s up?”
“Nothing. Just reminding you: you have a shoot tomorrow morning. Go to bed early and get up early.”
Don’t mess around, Zhou Pengyue silently thought.
“Okay,” Pei Qingjian agreed.
“Oh, by the way,” Zhou Pengyue said, remembering something. “I was eating with the crew just now, and while talking, I learned something. Do you know why you were called for this audition?”
“Didn’t you say the director of the previous drama recommended me to Director Zhang?” Pei Qingjian asked.
Zhou Pengyue shook his head. “I thought so, since they knew each other. But actually, no. I just found out—you were recommended by Sister Wei.”
“Ah?” Pei Qingjian was surprised. “Ning Rong’s manager?”
“Right. But how could she recommend you? Did you know each other before?”
Pei Qingjian shook his head.
Almost immediately, he realized: it wasn’t Sister Wei who recommended him—it was Ning Rong herself.
She must have known about him from Zhou Man, that he was also an actor. That’s why she wanted to help him join a drama group he wouldn’t have been able to reach on his own.
That explained why she had been guiding his acting, intentionally or not, taking care of him.
But why?
Pei Qingjian had a faint answer: it could only be because of Lan Xingchen.
He and Ning Rong had no connection. The only link was Lan Xingchen.
Because of Lan Xingchen, she helped, cared for, and supported him. How could she possibly dislike Lan Xingchen?
On the contrary, she probably liked him very much.
That’s why she extended her care to him as well, her roommate.
So why did Lan Xingchen feel that Ning Rong didn’t like him?
Pei Qingjian was growing increasingly puzzled.
At that moment, Ning Rong, feeling guilty, was holding her phone and nervously calling Ning Yuan.
“What’s up?” Ning Yuan asked.
Ning Rong hesitated, unsure how to explain.
Whether inside or outside the industry, people thought Ning Rong was cold and aloof. But anyone who truly knew her would realize that her “coldness” was just a habitual self-protective shield. She wasn’t cold at all, nor was she really “cool.” She was more introverted and shy.
“I… I need you not to get angry,” Ning Rong whispered.
“What did you do?” Ning Yuan asked, puzzled.
Biting her lip, Ning Rong confessed, “I’m currently filming with Xiao Pei.”
Ning Yuan: ???
“What did you say?”
Ning Rong’s eyes drooped. “The other day, my sister came over and mentioned Xiao Pei. You said you’d met him too, so I really wanted to see him. At the same time, the role I’m currently working on had a problem, and the producer asked us to recommend someone suitable. So I asked Sister Wei to recommend Xiao Pei.”
Ning Yuan: ……
Ning Rong wanted to curl up and hide herself. “I know what I did was wrong, but I really wanted to see him. And I thought it would be a good opportunity for him. The role is great, and both the director and screenwriter are well-known in the industry. If Xiao Pei got the role, it would be good for him too.”
“So why are you calling me now?”
Ning Rong: ……
Her voice was small. “Lan Xingchen came. He came to see Xiao Pei, and he saw me too.”
Ning Yuan rubbed his temple. “You should have considered this beforehand.”
“I did,” Ning Rong stammered. “But I haven’t seen Xingchen in a long time. I wanted to see him too.”
Ning Yuan: ……
Ning Rong curled up on the sofa. “I’m telling you now for two reasons: one, to be honest; two, to give you a heads-up. Didn’t you say you’d come see me tomorrow or the day after?”
Ning Yuan: ……
“Do you think I can still go now?”
“Ah?”
“Let’s wait until he leaves,” Ning Yuan said helplessly. “In the meantime, stay away from him. Don’t let him come all happy only to leave upset.”
Ning Rong: ……
She pursed her lips.
“What if he comes looking for me?”
“Dream on,” Ning Yuan replied bluntly.
Ning Rong: ……
“Not to happen again,” Ning Yuan lectured. “This already happened. There’s no changing it, so we deal with it as it is. In the future, whatever Xiao Pei shoots or doesn’t shoot, don’t interfere.”
Ning Rong reluctantly agreed. “Got it.”
“That’s right,” Ning Yuan comforted her. “Once he leaves, I’ll come see you and bring your favorite pea cakes.”
“Mm,” Ning Rong responded softly.
After a few more words, she reluctantly ended the call.
Ning Yuan watched her hang up, feeling helpless that she would do something like this.
Wasn’t this practically inviting Lan Xingchen’s dislike?
But… even if she did nothing, it seemed Lan Xingchen still wouldn’t like her.
Ning Yuan looked at the files in front of him, suddenly unable to concentrate.
He knew very well that Lan Xingchen didn’t like him or Ning Rong.
At first, when they met after growing up, Lan Xingchen hadn’t shown any sign of disliking them. But after Zhou Man and Wen Yuan got married, he gradually started to distance himself and dislike them.
At first, Ning Yuan thought he was imagining things.
But every time he tried to talk to Lan Xingchen or discuss something, Lan Xingchen instinctively avoided his gaze, keeping conversations short. If Ning Yuan didn’t initiate, Lan Xingchen wouldn’t speak.
It wasn’t until Ning Yuan realized that Lan Xingchen no longer called him and Ning Rong “brother” and “sister” that they had gone a long time without talking.
Humans are strange creatures. Before realizing someone dislikes them, they speak freely without much thought. But once that awareness arises—especially toward people they care about—they weigh every word carefully, afraid of causing offense.
Several times, while Ning Yuan and Ning Rong were talking, Lan Xingchen would walk by. Ning Yuan would stop mid-conversation, wanting to speak, but unsure what he could say without making Lan Xingchen uncomfortable. What could he ask that would encourage Lan Xingchen to talk a little longer?
“Been busy lately?” “Why didn’t you come home last weekend?” Would that seem too nosy?
“Do you want to go to the concert tonight? Your favorite singer is coming soon.” Would that seem unrelated to him?
“Or, what do you want to eat tonight?”
Ning Yuan hesitated, trying to find a safe topic that wouldn’t annoy Lan Xingchen. But by the time Lan Xingchen left, he hadn’t found one.
He could only watch him leave, thinking, Next time… next time, I’ll make it work.
But when the next time came, new worries arose: would it be appropriate? Would Lan Xingchen even respond?
Round and round, over and over again.
That day, Ning Yuan came downstairs and happened to run into Lan Xingchen.
He was playing on his phone while munching on fries when, perhaps hearing someone coming down the stairs, Lan Xingchen turned his head and saw him.
At that moment, Ning Yuan noticed the awkwardness on his face.
Lan Xingchen seemed to want to turn his head away, but then, thinking it might be impolite, he asked politely yet stiffly, “Do you want some?”
Ning Yuan naturally wanted some—not necessarily because of the fries, but because it was rare for Lan Xingchen to offer anything, and he was willing to support him in anything.
Yet, the clear awkwardness around Lan Xingchen reminded him that this was likely just a courteous gesture. If he accepted, it would only make Lan Xingchen feel more embarrassed. Besides, there weren’t many fries left on the plate.
Ning Yuan noticed the air fryer on the side and slowly pieced together that since the housekeeper had taken leave in the past few days, Lan Xingchen had to make his own snacks. He must really like fries to go through all that effort.
Feeling even more reluctant to eat, Ning Yuan smiled at Lan Xingchen and said, “No need, you eat them yourself.”
The next day, Ning Yuan bought potatoes, peeled them, cut them into strips, boiled them, and then fried them in hot oil as instructed online.
Ning Rong stood nearby, curiously watching.
After frying, Ning Yuan scooped the fries onto a plate. Ning Rong picked one up and tasted it.
“Tasty?” he asked.
Ning Rong nodded. “Mm-hmm.”
Ning Yuan picked one with his chopsticks.
“Seems okay,” he said thoughtfully. “At least better than the air fryer ones.”
After all, fried foods taste best when cooked in hot oil. Air fryers use air instead of oil for convenience, but the flavor suffers.
Ning Yuan placed the freshly fried fries at Lan Xingchen’s seat during dinner, thinking that if Lan Xingchen liked them, he could fry them whenever he wanted. This way, Lan Xingchen wouldn’t have to settle for the less flavorful air-fried ones or make them himself.
“Try some,” he offered cautiously.
But Lan Xingchen didn’t respond. He glanced at Ning Yuan briefly—or maybe not at all—and silently ate the other dishes.
Even though he had enjoyed the fries yesterday, eating nearly a whole plate, he didn’t touch a single one today, even though they were the closest dish to him.
Ning Yuan didn’t press further and, acting as if nothing had happened, started eating the fries after Lan Xingchen left.
By then, the fries had softened after sitting for a while, no longer as crispy as when first fried.
That’s fine, Ning Yuan thought. They’re soft now, not tasty. It makes sense he didn’t eat them.
He carefully packed the leftover fries to take home and finished them himself.
Later, Lan Xingchen took his CET-4 exam and barely passed.
Wen Yuan asked at the dinner table, “Why’s your score so low this time? Will you take CET-6?”
Lan Xingchen frowned. “I will.”
Seeing him look so gloomy, Ning Yuan couldn’t help speaking up, “I got 663 on CET-6.”
He didn’t offer, Do you want me to tutor you?
He feared that if he asked, Wen Yuan might insist, “Sure!” forcing Lan Xingchen to accept against his will. He didn’t want to put Lan Xingchen in that position, so he simply shared the information. Even a small gesture or glance from Lan Xingchen would be enough for him to offer help after dinner.
Likely sensing this, Ning Rong added, “I got 679,” clearly wanting to take on the task herself.
But Lan Xingchen said nothing, merely looking at them silently, expressionless, with faint traces of concealed annoyance.
The table fell silent.
Ning Yuan felt Lan Xingchen’s gaze, unsurprised by the outcome.
Of course—otherwise, why hadn’t Lan Xingchen simply said, “I’ll teach you”?
It was because he knew he probably wouldn’t agree.
Good thing he hadn’t asked; it was for the best.
Ning Yuan quickly switched the topic, praising the housekeeper’s cooking to ease the silence at the table.
Life went on like this. Sometimes Ning Yuan wondered where things had gone wrong. Why had Lan Xingchen turned out like this toward them?
When they first met after growing up, he hadn’t seemed to dislike them, could even converse a little. So why, after Zhou Man and Wen Yuan married, had everything changed?
Eventually, Ning Yuan thought he understood.
Lan Xingchen cared about Wen Yuan. At the time, he wanted Wen Yuan to marry someone he liked, so even if he didn’t like Ning Yuan and Ning Rong, he suppressed his aversion, acting as if he didn’t dislike them.
But now, with Zhou Man and Wen Yuan married, that restraint faded, letting his dislike resurface.
After all, no one said that just because relatives love each other, their families must get along.
Or perhaps, more likely, Lan Xingchen simply hadn’t adjusted to this new life—three more people in his home, including two peers his age.
Before Wen Yuan married, he thought he could handle it. But now, living with them, he realized he couldn’t.
So naturally, he disliked Ning Yuan and Ning Rong, the intruders in his life.
Just like the old story of the man who loved dragons—he thought he could accept it until the dragon appeared in reality. Only then did he realize his assumptions weren’t enough.
Ning Yuan had always wanted to get along with Lin Xingchen.
So he deliberately went to Lin Xingchen’s school, hoping to have a proper talk with him.
He believed there was always a way to resolve things. He was willing to fix it—so long as Lin Xingchen would stop disliking him and Ning Rong, he was willing to agree to anything.
When someone dislikes another person, there is always a reason. Maybe it is their tone, or the way they handle things. As long as Lin Xingchen told him, he could change.
He found Lin Xingchen by the water taps beside the sports field.
At that moment, Lin Xingchen was with his friends.
He heard one of them say, “Why aren’t you going to play basketball with Sun Chen and the others? Didn’t you agree to go earlier?”
“Because his sister’s there too.”
Shao Kang let out an “oh.” “You’re avoiding Sun Ya?”
“I just don’t want to see her,” Lin Xingchen said helplessly. “I’ve already made it clear I don’t like her. It’s obvious enough, but she still keeps chasing after me. It’s annoying.”
“Is it really that hard to accept that someone doesn’t like you?” Lin Xingchen looked at Shao Kang. “There’s no such thing as ‘I’ll just change whatever you don’t like.’ If I don’t like you, I don’t like you. If you know someone doesn’t like you and still keep showing up in front of them, it’ll only make them hate you more.”
At that age, he was bold and unrestrained, speaking with a sharp, carefree edge.
Shao Kang laughed, slung an arm around his shoulders, and the two of them walked off.
Ning Yuan stood quietly in a place they hadn’t noticed, stopping in the shadows at that moment.
Is it really that hard to accept that someone doesn’t like you?
Of course it is.
That is why people desperately try to figure out what they did wrong, thinking—if you don’t like something about me, I can change it.
That is why they hope that if they just sit down and talk, if they fix everything the other person dislikes, they will be liked in return.
But not liking someone is simply not liking them. It is not something that changes just because you change.
The other person will only grow more annoyed. They will only wish that you would stop appearing in front of them.
Ning Yuan watched the direction Lin Xingchen had left, and after a long time, turned and walked back the way he came.
He no longer tried to make Lin Xingchen like him. He simply reduced how often he visited Zhou Man and Wen Yuan, trying not to appear so frequently in Lin Xingchen’s presence.
But he still saw him again—at Lin Xingchen’s grandfather’s funeral.
Dressed in black, standing beside Wen Yuan, he looked small, like a child who had yet to grow up.
He was always losing people—his parents, his grandmother, his grandfather.
Ning Yuan felt a deep ache for him, yet he did not even have the right to step forward, to hold him, to offer a word of comfort.
But he was going to leave. Perhaps that would be more helpful than any comfort he could give.
Ning Yuan had received an offer from Y City. Over the past two years, he had successfully saved a company on the brink of bankruptcy and brought it into profitability over the last two quarters. This earned him the favor of the chairman of Rongya Group, who hoped he would go to Y City to serve as CEO of one of its subsidiaries.
At first, Ning Yuan had no intention of going. He had grown used to relying on Zhou Man and Ning Rong.
But later, he changed his mind.
Zhou Man had already married Wen Yuan. Wen Yuan was a good man—he would take good care of her. There was no need for concern.
Besides, Lin Xingchen did not like him. If he left, perhaps Lin Xingchen’s life with Wen Yuan and Zhou Man would be more harmonious.
Too many people living together would inevitably cause friction. Reducing the number of people might actually improve things.
So he would take Ning Rong with him as well.
Of course, since Ning Rong was still in school, she would only go to him during winter and summer breaks.
When Ning Yuan told Ning Rong, she was reluctant, but she still agreed.
“Have you told sister and brother-in-law?” she asked.
“Not yet, but I will,” Ning Yuan replied.
However, on the day he went to say goodbye to Wen Yuan, a single phone call changed his decision once again.
At the time, Wen Yuan was in his study on the phone. When Ning Yuan knocked, Wen Yuan gestured for him to come in, but did not hang up.
Ning Yuan sat to the side, not interrupting him, intending to wait until the call ended before saying his farewell.
But the call dragged on.
Wen Yuan was negotiating.
“I’m well aware of President Liu’s capabilities. That’s exactly why I want to invite you to be our company’s CEO. But President Liu, you’re not showing sincerity.”
“Yes, the situation is complicated, and the pressure will be immense. But that’s precisely why I’m looking for you.”
He spoke on and off for nearly fifteen minutes before finally hanging up. Rubbing his temples, he stood to pour himself a glass of water, then asked Ning Yuan, “What is it?”
“Are you looking for a professional manager?” Ning Yuan asked instead of answering. “Is something wrong with the company?”
Wen Yuan smiled and sat down beside him with his cup.
Anglai was a typical family business. The advantage of such a structure was that everyone’s interests were tied together—no one would betray the company. But its flaws were just as obvious: nepotism. Key positions were all held by relatives.
If those relatives were capable, it wasn’t a problem. But more often than not, they were not—yet they refused to step down. The capable couldn’t rise, the incapable wouldn’t leave, and in the end, the entire structure teetered on collapse.
Anglai was beginning to show exactly these signs.
When the old Master Lin was still alive, Wen Yuan had already noticed many unreasonable aspects within the company. But at that time, the old man did not have much time left, and Wen Yuan wanted him to pass peacefully, so he did nothing.
Now, however, the old man was gone, and Wen Yuan had decided to carry out sweeping reforms.
The problem was, he himself was part of the Lin family. Everyone involved was related, and there were certain things he could not do directly.
So Wen Yuan wanted to find a blade—a figurehead—to cut through the current situation, someone who would also bear the pressure and conflict in his place.
But someone like that was hard to find. The person needed not only the capability to shoulder such responsibility, but also strong character. Otherwise, once the time came and they left the company—taking a group of core talent with them—the loss would still fall on him.
Because of this, Wen Yuan had been troubled for quite some time.
“In the future, Anglai will definitely be handed over to Xingchen. I don’t want to leave him a company that looks good on the outside but is rotten within. When he takes over, I want Anglai to be full of vitality—so he can develop it however he wishes. That’s why I want to hire Liu Zong. But I know his worth, and he knows it too, so he’s asking for an exorbitant price.”
Wen Yuan smiled faintly, leaning back against the sofa. “But Liu Zong is too shrewd. This reform of Anglai will take a long time—I estimate seven or eight years. By then, with his kind of cunning, it’s hard to say there won’t be some turmoil when he leaves.”
After saying that, Wen Yuan sighed. “Enough about me. What did you come here for?”
Ning Yuan looked at him, silent for a long time, before finally saying, “Brother-in-law… maybe you don’t necessarily need Liu Zong.”
“I can do it,” he said. “You can let me try.”
Wen Yuan was surprised. Ning Yuan told him about the offer from Rongya Group’s subsidiary, then added, “I’ll be more obedient than Liu Zong, and I’ll support your ideas more fully. So you can let me try. If it doesn’t work, you can always replace me with Liu Zong.”
“And what about Rongya Group?”
“It’s fine,” Ning Yuan smiled. “There will be other opportunities in the future.”
Wen Yuan didn’t reply immediately. After thinking for a moment, he said, “You understand your identity. Even if, in everyone’s eyes, you’re just Manman’s younger brother, it’s still a sensitive position. You understand that, right?”
Of course Ning Yuan understood.
But it didn’t matter. He was willing to become the blade in Wen Yuan’s hand—to cut through the thorns for Lin Xingchen.
“There are plenty of people in this world who are disliked. One more doesn’t matter.”
Admitting that you’re not liked isn’t difficult—so long as the person who dislikes you isn’t someone you care about.
Ning Yuan had never cared about such things.
Compared to that, the fact that he could still be of some use to Lin Xingchen made him far happier.
“I’ll follow your plan and do my best to achieve what you want within seven years. Then I’ll leave.”
That was Ning Yuan’s final promise to Wen Yuan.
Now, the time was almost up. At the latest, by next winter—at the earliest, by the Lunar New Year—he would leave Anglai.
Ning Yuan knew very well that he had infringed on the interests of many members of the Lin family. As a result, they constantly spoke ill of him in front of Lin Xingchen, trying to drive a wedge between them.
But fortunately, Lin Xingchen already disliked him, so their efforts made little difference.
As for Ning Rong, influenced by those whispered insinuations, she entered the entertainment industry right after graduating from university—as if afraid that if she delayed even a little, the Lin family would assume she intended to join Anglai as well.
His sister was still thin-skinned, unlike him, who had long since stopped caring.
And yet, sometimes, in the dead of night, Ning Yuan would think back to the past—to the small, not-yet-grown Lin Xingchen.
It was his first time visiting the countryside. Everything fascinated him—he looked at this, then that, full of curiosity.
Back then, their village still had walnut trees. Lin Xingchen wanted to eat walnuts, so Ning Yuan picked some and held them in his arms.
The walnuts were still green, their husks unpeeled, round and unripe.
Lin Xingchen reached out, opened his mouth, ready to bite into one.
“You can’t bite that,” Ning Yuan quickly stopped him.
Lin Xingchen looked at him, blinking those bright, beautiful eyes.
Ning Yuan took the walnut from his hand, placed it on a stone, and began to peel away the green outer husk.
The juice splattered onto his hands, staining them dark.
After removing the green layer, he picked up a stone and cracked the shell.
He was about to take out the white kernel inside for Lin Xingchen, but then he noticed his own fingers—dirty and blackened from the walnut juice.
Ning Yuan froze for a moment, then pulled his hand back. Instead, he handed the peeled walnut to Ning Rong, letting her extract the kernel.
Ning Rong carefully peeled away the yellow skin and held the walnut out to Lin Xingchen.
Lin Xingchen opened his mouth obediently, ate it, and smiled at her.
Ning Rong smiled back.
The little girls on TV all had their own dolls, but she didn’t. Yet looking at Lin Xingchen—clean, delicate, and beautiful—he seemed like a living doll.
She patiently fed him piece by piece.
Beside them, Ning Yuan continued peeling off the green husks and cracking open walnuts one after another.
When Lin Xingchen had eaten his fill and no longer wanted more, Ning Yuan gathered the remaining walnuts, planning to bring them back for Lin Xingchen’s parents.
The downhill path was long. Afraid Lin Xingchen might fall, Ning Yuan reached out to take his hand.
But just as he did, he noticed again the black stains on his palm and fingers.
Against Lin Xingchen’s fair, tender hand, his own looked as though it had been dragged through mud.
Silently, Ning Yuan withdrew his hand. Instead, he instructed Ning Rong, “Make sure you hold onto your brother tightly.”
Ning Rong nodded and clasped Lin Xingchen’s hand firmly.
Ning Yuan then looked at Lin Xingchen and said gently, “Don’t let go of your sister’s hand, okay?”
Lin Xingchen nodded lightly, his tone cheerful. “Got it, big brother.”
He skipped along happily, looking here and there.
He even picked a few flowers, and when he saw his parents, he ran toward them.
Remembering Ning Yuan’s instructions, Ning Rong held onto his hand tightly and was pulled along as he ran up to Lin He and Lu Yinkong.
Ning Yuan quickly followed behind.
“Mom, Dad, you’re back!” Lin Xingchen said happily.
He raised the flowers in his hand and offered them to Lin He. “Flowers.”
Lin He smiled and accepted them.
Ning Rong politely greeted them, “Hello, Teacher Lin. Hello, Teacher Lu.”
Ning Yuan, meanwhile, handed over the walnuts he had gathered in his clothes to Lin He.
“I’ve already removed the outer husks. You just need to crack them open to eat,” he said, then added, “I asked Aunt Zhou—she said we could pick as many as we wanted.”
“Alright,” Lin He smiled at him. “Thank you, Xiaoyuan.”
“You’re welcome.”
They said their goodbyes at the school gate.
Ning Yuan and Ning Rong waved to Lin Xingchen, and he raised his hand as well, calling out to them, “Big brother, big sister, come play with me again tomorrow!”
“Okay,” Ning Yuan agreed.
Ning Rong also nodded with a smile.
These were all things from long ago. Lin Xingchen had long since forgotten them. Ning Yuan did not blame him—he had been too young then. As people grow, they inevitably lose some memories. That Lin Xingchen had lost those moments was not his fault.
He only felt regret.
Regret that they had once been so happy together, running along mountain paths.
Regret that they had such a good beginning, yet never reached a good ending.
Regret that they had once been separated, then met again—he thought it was a chance to reconnect, but it ended abruptly, like a story that started strong and faded weakly.
And yet, he still—