Lan Die looked at Song Yi’s concerned expression and forced an unnatural smile. “It’s fine now, thank you, Song Yi!”
Song Yi glanced at her subtle expression and realized she probably didn’t want to answer where she had been. He had asked too hastily, overstepping a bit.
“I happened to be in the area for some business and thought you’d be at the station. Since it’s mealtime, how about going out to eat together?”
Lan Die suddenly remembered He Canglan’s mention of sending her a meal, though she couldn’t tell if he had meant it seriously.
Seeing Song Yi’s earnest expression, she felt a bit guilty. “Let me treat you!”
Song Yi’s lips curved upward. “I heard the cafeteria at Beijing TV Station serves pretty good food!”
Lan Die frowned slightly. “Let’s eat out. There’s a decent Shandong cuisine restaurant nearby.”
Both understood the unspoken meaning behind their words.
Song Yi wanted to make an appearance in front of Lan Die’s TV station colleagues, but Lan Die decisively chose to decline.
Not long after they sat down in the restaurant, they ran into an acquaintance.
Lin Yi happened to be at the same restaurant, occupying a prime spot by herself, with exquisite shopping bags piled on the seat.
“Isn’t this Xiao Die? You can actually afford to eat here?” Lin Yi walked over, a faint sneer on her face.
“You can afford it with your parents’ money, and I can afford it with my own earnings,” Lan Die replied calmly.
“Right, you were dancing at that high-society event last time,” Lin Yi said as she approached, eyeing Lan Die’s outfit up and down.
It was a beige tweed suit with matching beige lambskin shoes, all from a high-end luxury brand.
On Lan Die, it looked as if it were custom-made. With her fair skin and red lips, she was breathtakingly beautiful.
It was He Canglan’s taste.
“Tsk, tsk, this outfit is so expensive, and the shoes are limited edition!” Lin Yi leaned in and touched them with her hand. “They’re not fakes, Xiao Die. Where did you get the money to buy them?”
Lan Die’s face slowly flushed red. She didn’t know how to answer and didn’t want to engage with her any further.
Their families had been close friends for generations, and they were the same age. Since childhood, Lan Die had treated Lin Yi with sincerity, considering her a sister.
The first time Lin Yi revealed her true colors—when Lan Die was heartbroken over her parents’ passing and Lin Yi sneered beside her—Lan Die tasted the bitterness of betrayal for the first time.
The shock and heartbreak made her instinctively wary and suspicious of kindness from non-family members.
She had been holding back, clinging to the last shred of dignity for their lost friendship.
“I went shopping with Lan Die for the clothes!” Song Yi suddenly spoke up from the side.
He looked up, his smile gentle. “If you’re Lan Die’s friend, miss, let’s sit down and chat about something light. If not, please leave now.”
Lin Yi raised her eyes, sizing up Song Yi with a hint of disdain. Dressed in a white shirt and suit pants, he looked formal, young yet exuding an intimidating presence. She couldn’t quite figure out his background.
The awkward standoff among the three was broken by the ringing of Lan Die’s phone.
When Lin Yi saw the phone in Lan Die’s hand, her eyes stung with envy.
It was the latest model of a brand she had been longing for. How could Lan Die, a fallen heiress, get her hands on it before her?!
It was infuriating!!
The call was from Yi An.
“Miss Lan, I’ve arrived at the TV station. Which office are you in?”
Lan Die hadn’t expected Yi An to actually come. Her face flushed slightly. “Uncle Yi, I’m at Lu Wei Zhai by the TV station entrance.”
In less than two minutes, Lan Die spotted the Silver Phantom.
She could roughly sense that when Yi An appeared alone, it was usually in a Rolls-Royce. When He Canglan was present, it would switch to a Maybach.
Yi An carried two exquisite food containers and quickly entered the restaurant.
He casually glanced at Song Yi, who was sitting with Lan Die, a faint trace of surprise flickering in his eyes before he composed himself, unnoticed by anyone.
“Miss Lan, it’s still warm. Please eat while it’s hot!” Yi An respectfully placed the containers on the table and opened them.
Inside were uniformly delicate white bone china plates, with two meat dishes, two vegetable dishes, a bowl of porridge, a soup, and a dessert, each meticulously prepared and accompanied by a dedicated menu.
The two meat dishes were Guizhi fish and dried sea cucumber with shiitake mushrooms and chicken; the two vegetable dishes were Fengqi Xiaoxiang and stir-fried water bamboo shoots; the soup was angelica and lamb spine soup, accompanied by peach blossom porridge and pea flour cake.
After setting everything out, Yi An respectfully stepped aside.
Though Lin Yi was spoiled, she was not ignorant of quality.
She eyed the fragrant lunch before her—simple yet extraordinary. Only a renowned chef from a deep, secluded mansion could produce such exquisite fare.
Moreover, Yi An, who had delivered the meal, carried himself with exceptional grace and demeanor. Such poise and refinement could only be cultivated by serving someone of great stature.
Lin Yi couldn’t help but murmur, her words slipping out: “Xiao Die, do you have a sugar daddy now?”
A sharp thud echoed as a teacup was set down forcefully on the table.
Song Yi looked up, his expression still composed. “Miss, do I need to repeat what I just said to you?”
“What’s your problem? Xiao Die is my friend. What’s wrong with me caring about her?” Lin Yi pouted and plopped herself down at the table.
“You’ve ordered so much, and someone even delivered it specially. How can you finish it all? Count me in!”
Lan Die knew her temperament well. Seeing her already digging in without a care for anyone else, she apologized to Song Yi. “I’m sorry.”
Song Yi raised his hand and gently brushed Lan Die’s hair.
“Next time, I’ll take you to a restaurant near my workplace. There’s a good Shandong cuisine place there too.”
Lan Die didn’t have time to dodge, and a sense of panic and urgency inexplicably rose in her heart.
She glanced at Yi An, who was sipping tea and waiting not far away. Fortunately, he probably hadn’t noticed.
Things were already awkward enough. She worried that if He Canglan found out about this unwarranted little gesture, it would bring unnecessary trouble to Song Yi!
What a bizarre meal!
Lin Yi, her lips glistening from the feast, emerged as the biggest winner!
“Xiao Die, next time there’s such a good thing as delivered meals, call me! It’s so delicious, even the authentic old Beijing flavors can’t compare.” She picked up the last piece of pea flour cake.
Lan Die looked at her with a somber expression. “As a wealthy socialite, don’t you feel it’s a disgrace to stand with me?”
Lin Yi rolled her eyes. “Just call me when there’s food. If the food is good, I’ll introduce you to more opportunities to make money through… unconventional means!”
Lan Die pursed her lips and said nothing.
Ever since her fall from grace, eight out of ten sentences Lin Yi spoke to her were sarcastic, meant to highlight her own superiority.
Looking at that familiar face and expression, for a moment, Lan Die felt as if they were back in the past: Lin Yi lively and cheeky, Lan Die gentle and coquettish.
The two often walked hand in hand, the inseparable pair of sisters others spoke of.
Will such feelings always change?
Tears welled up, blurring the figure before her.
Until Yi An approached: “Miss Lan, if you insist on going to the outdoor shoot this afternoon, I’ll drive you there and assist you by your side.”
Lan Die snapped back to reality: “No, no, Uncle Yi, you have important matters to attend to. How could you possibly assist a small-time host like me!”
Yi An smiled: “Taking good care of Miss Lan is an important matter!”
…