“Sis, I used to think you were an introvert. I never expected you to be such an extrovert.”
Ge Yan smiled. “Hah, this isn’t being an extrovert—this is me going crazy.”
Song Ruan couldn’t help but applaud. This was the kind of life she yearned for.
“Sister Ge Yan is the most unique person I’ve ever met. Timid and reserved online, but bold and assertive in real life.”
Butler Zhang cautiously asked, “So, you still haven’t told Miss Ge that those were tulip seeds?”
A faint smile lingered on Song Bojian’s face as he nodded. “She came to me on her own and ate the grapes I grew.”
Butler Zhang spoke earnestly, “I originally thought, given Miss Ge’s temperament, the two of you might not even exchange three sentences when you met. I never expected her to be quite outgoing.”
Song Bojian seemed completely absorbed in his own world, not hearing a word Butler Zhang said, his smile growing even brighter.
“When she gets close to me, she’s like a little kitten.”
Butler Zhang: “…”
What should one do when their own boss is a hopeless romantic?
“I believe that in time, Miss Ge will surely develop feelings for you, sir.”
Song Bojian’s smile gradually faded, replaced by a dense, lingering sorrow in his eyes.
“Will someone like me, a cripple with broken legs, truly make her heart flutter?”
Butler Zhang said no more, noticing Song Bojian’s gaze drifting far into the distance.
The rural market was exceptionally lively. After setting up her stall, Ge Yan spotted the vendor selling tanghulu nearby. Strings of bright red candied hawthorns were skewered on straw sticks, and her craving instantly kicked in. She bought one, and the sweet, sticky syrup immediately filled her mouth.
She bought one for everyone.
By the time she finished distributing them, Shen Yuanming had already arrived with Cen Yan.
They must have reconciled, as Cen Yan naturally linked arms with Shen Yuanming when they stepped out of the car.
Everyone silently glanced at Ge Yan.
To their surprise, Ge Yan wore an expression of pure delight, as if she were witnessing a perfect love story.
The cameras were already set up, along with live-streaming equipment. With the recent drop in popularity, it was necessary to restart the live broadcasts.
For drama, focus the camera on Ge Yan. For comedy, watch Qin Dehua. For buzz and traffic, rely on Cen Yan.
The Director pondered for a moment and chose the first option.
Sure enough, after three hours of hard work, Ge Yan had something big to show.
Song Ruan’s eyes widened the moment she lifted the red cloth.
The originally plain cloth shoes were now adorned with vivid, lifelike paintings.
Each of the five pairs of cloth shoes featured delicate depictions: pink lotuses, weeping willows, flying swallows, silver butterflies, and camellias. With just a few strokes, the images flowed effortlessly onto the fabric, appearing vivid and alive.
“Sis, you’re amazing! How did you do this?”
Ge Yan chuckled again. “Before I came, I brought a few bottles of textile paint. It came in handy—just a casual attempt.”
“Your brushwork is so rich and the colors so vibrant—this is no casual attempt!”
Hearing the commotion, the others gathered around, along with the live-stream camera.
The camera focused on the cloth shoes, and the comments section instantly exploded.
“Wow, ink wash painting?”
“Is there anything this sis can’t do?”
“After a few days away, she’s leveled up again?”
“Who wants to see her show off? I want to see Cen Yan!”
Shen Yan couldn’t help but applaud. He had studied a bit of traditional Chinese painting himself, and these brushstrokes—the rich ink washes and delicate color outlines—were no mere flashy display.
“No way, you really know how to do this?” Qin Dehua exclaimed in amazement.
Ge Yan looked at him. “What about you?”If Ge Yan had been holding back something big, then Qin Dehua—well, he had produced something truly massive.
He had sewn red bows onto the heels of perfectly good cloth shoes, and the bows were even tied from red fabric by his own hands.
Rough yet revealing a touch of girlish charm.
Even someone as steady as Lin Dang couldn’t hold back…
“Dehua, you spent three hours just doing this?”
Looking around, aside from Ge Yan’s embroidered artwork, Song Xiyuan’s group had added woven straps to their cloth shoes. Though the changes were minimal, the effort was still evident.
However, Shen Yuanming’s group hadn’t touched their cloth shoes at all.
Shen Yan was puzzled: “How are we supposed to sell them then?”
Song Xiyuan spoke up for Cen Yan’s group: “With Yan Yan’s popularity, people would rush to buy them even if they were just placed there.”
Cen Yan smiled modestly: “I think the original look is the most beautiful.”
「Exactly, what’s with all the flashy stuff Sister Ge added? Can you even work in those?」
「My girl glanced at President Shen when she said that just now—I won’t say who’s shipping it!」
「It’s fine, but Cen Yan’s comment has a hint of shading to it.」
「What shading? How much is Sister Ge paying you?」
The comments inexplicably started to argue.
The Director instructed the cameras internally to avoid framing Cen Yan and Ge Yan together as much as possible.
Due to the filming, the stall quickly gathered a crowd, mostly elderly men and women.
One auntie went straight for Ge Yan’s cloth shoes, beaming as she shared with her friends over a video call: “Look how pretty these cloth shoes are!”
Ge Yan immediately went over to enthusiastically introduce them: “Sister, would you like to buy a pair?”
Hearing herself called “sister,” the auntie was even more delighted.
“You’re such a pretty girl, and you speak so sweetly too. Oh my, I’m already fifty-five!” The auntie laughed while holding up five fingers.
Ge Yan looked shocked: “Fifty-five? Impossible, sister, you look at most in your early forties.”
Shen Yuanming let out a soft scoff at this.
Song Xiyuan whispered to Cen Yan: “I never realized she was so good at flattery.”
Cen Yan maintained her gentle smile, her thoughts unreadable.
“How much for a pair?”
The program had set the price at 30 yuan.
But Ge Yan said: “40 yuan.”
Song Xiyuan pursed her lips: “Taking advantage by raising the price on the spot.”
The comments also began to criticize.
「Even scamming the elderly, shows what kind of person she is, right?」
「This is a bit too much.」
「Her artwork is so beautiful, 10 yuan extra isn’t unreasonable, is it?」
「Yeah, it’s not like there’s a rule against raising prices!」
The auntie’s smile faded slightly, seeming reluctant: “Little sister, aren’t these cloth shoes usually thirty on the market?”
Ge Yan remained unflustered: “Auntie, I see you’re holding a yangko fan. Are you a square dancing enthusiast?”
“Oh, you noticed?”
“Your dancer’s aura is practically bursting out!”
Being called a dancer for the first time, the auntie beamed with joy, laughing heartily.
“Oh, it’s just something I do for fun.”
“Do you and your sisters all dance together?”
The other aunties in the video chimed in: “Yes, we all love dancing. We’re all dancers.”
Ge Yan frowned, as if thinking it over with difficulty: “To be honest, the orchids and lotuses on these shoes—I think they really match the aunties’ style.”
“Oh really?” The auntie was thrilled again, grinning from ear to ear.”Yes, yes, why don’t you and a few other aunties each take a pair? Here’s what I’ll do—I’ll give you a special price. For these last five pairs, I’ll sell them to you for 30 each!”
As soon as these words were spoken, the auntie’s eyes widened as if she had stumbled upon a great bargain.
“That works, that works!”
Without another word, the auntie reached for her money. Seizing the opportunity, Ge Yan gave Qin Dehua a meaningful look.
Qin Dehua immediately understood and hurriedly stepped forward as well.