Song Xiyuan couldn’t understand why Cen Yan would come to her place so early in the morning.
She reminded her, “Isn’t Mr. Shen returning today?”
Cen Yan seemed not to hear, lost in thought.
It wasn’t until Song Xiyuan came over and patted her that she snapped back to reality.
“Yes, he’s leaving today.”
“Aren’t you going to see him off?”
“He said we should avoid suspicion until he officially cancels the engagement with Ge Yan. Of course, I respect his decision.”
In reality, she wanted to keep her distance from Shen Yuanming.
Cen Yan even wondered: if she ever got to know Song Bojian, would her past with Shen Yuanming affect how he saw her?
So from now on, she had to cut off all ties to the past.
The most thorough way would probably be to let Shen Yuanming return to Ge Yan’s side.
But Cen Yan was a cautious person—she couldn’t be too extreme.
Otherwise, if things didn’t work out with Song Bojian, she’d still have Shen Yuanming as a backup.
So Cen Yan decided to go all in: keep her distance from Shen Yuanming, neither taking the initiative nor rejecting him outright.
Just as Ge Yan and the others finished eating, the recording began.
Cen Yan happened to return at that moment.
Everyone wondered whether they should tell Cen Yan that Shen Yuanming had already left.
But Cen Yan showed no reaction, smiling as she greeted everyone, “Ah, you’re all here? Good morning! I just went to see Xixi’s little calf—it’s so adorable!”
The group fell silent for a moment, then awkwardly laughed along.
Bullet comments:
“Shen Yuanming left, and Cen Yan has no reaction?”
“Huh?”
“What’s going on with the Yuan-Yan CP?”
“Did they argue again?”
“Overthinking it. They were never really a thing, right? CP fans, don’t get carried away…”
“I think Cen Yan must be avoiding Shen Yuanming because she doesn’t want to see him leave, but she’s keeping her distance because Ge Yan is here.”
“If it weren’t for Ge Yan, why would they have to avoid suspicion like this?!”
[Shen Yuanming isn’t worthy of Ge Yan.]
The bullet comments were momentarily interrupted by this sudden remark.
“Hey, ‘not worthy’ guy, are you joking?”
“Aren’t you just a black fan trying to stir up trouble for Ge Yan?”
“Didn’t expect Ge Yan to have brain-dead fans too.”
[Care to show your ID photo? If you’re prettier than Ge Yan, I can be your brain-dead fan too.]
“How can we compare to celebrities?”
[You wouldn’t win against anyone anyway.]
“No one around me has ever said I’m ugly!”
[They’re just being considerate of your feelings.]
“I’m a guy, and I really don’t think Ge Yan is that good-looking.”
[Still better than you, with your uniquely ugly face.]
“Let’s keep it civil in the comments—no personal attacks.”
[Sorry, I have no manners.]
“You’re acting like you have a serious problem!”
[At least my wallet is bigger than yours.]
Song Bojian truly didn’t understand why these fans harbored so much malice toward Ge Yan.
If that was the case, his own malice could only be greater.
In his heart, not even Shen Yuanming—no one was worthy of Ge Yan.
Zhang Butler smiled without saying a word. His socially anxious boss was arguing with haters again.
When Song Bojian sighed and put down the tablet, Zhang Butler knew—he was done arguing.
Seeing him calmly pick up his teacup, it seemed he had won the argument.
It was truly remarkable: in real life, the boss had no interest in doing anything, but online, he was capable of everything.
The second son of the prestigious Song Group, bickering with strangers on the internet…Song Bojian set down his cup, his voice icy cold: “Ge Yan isn’t good enough for him? Ge Yan is more than enough to ruin him.”
No wonder Song Bojian was so emotionally stable in real life—he saved all his madness for the internet.
Butler Zhang finally spoke up at the right moment: “Shen Yuanming has gone back, so what about that project…”
“Return it to him. It’s useless anyway.”
In truth, Song Bojian had a sharp mind for business. Within just a few days of arriving in Haicheng, he had already poached the Song family’s old client.
It was just a shame his heart wasn’t in it. He only wanted to force Shen Yuanming to stay away from Ge Yan.
As he was lost in thought, someone suddenly knocked on the door.
Butler Zhang said respectfully, “Sir, I’ll get the door.”
Song Bojian nodded and prepared to return to his room.
But before his wheelchair had gone far, he heard a familiar voice behind him.
“Mr. Song, it’s Ge Yan! Do you remember me?”
Song Bojian froze slightly, all traces of his earlier online mischief gone.
Steadying himself, he nodded slowly. “Yes, I remember.”
“You gave me ginger tea last time, so this time I’ve prepared a gift for you.”
As she spoke, Ge Yan stepped forward and handed over the paper box in her hands.
After their recent encounters, Song Bojian was no longer as flustered. He turned and came out of the room.
Butler Zhang took the box and passed it to Song Bojian.
Inside was a pair of black cloth shoes.
But on the uppers were painted green ink bamboo.
The blend of ink and wash, the flowing charm of traditional painting—Song Bojian’s heart trembled faintly.
He stared intently, not looking up for a long time. Ge Yan thought he didn’t like them.
“Um… I had limited tools, and I haven’t studied for many years. My painting skills aren’t great. If you don’t like them, I can repaint them.”
With that, she reached to take the shoes back.
But Song Bojian stretched out a hand to stop her.
The moment he touched Ge Yan, he quickly withdrew his hand.
After a pause, he said, “No, they’re painted very well.” His voice was slightly hoarse, carrying a hint of barely noticeable panic.
“…Really?” Ge Yan was stunned, then smiled. “I thought bamboo suited your temperament, Mr. Song. Like the poem: ‘A noble form untouched by frost and snow, an upright stance that reveals the heart.'”
Song Bojian stiffened slightly, nearly dropping the box. He took a deep breath, his voice quickly regaining its calm.
This was the poem she had given him. In her heart, this was how she saw him.
“Thank you.”
Even Butler Zhang hadn’t expected Ge Yan to be so thoughtful.
Song Bojian took each word of that poem and tucked it carefully into his heart.
She turned, preparing to leave.
Song Bojian was surprised. Why was she leaving so soon?
But he truly didn’t know how to ask her to stay.
Butler Zhang suddenly called out to her.
“Miss Ge, wait a moment.”
Ge Yan paused and turned back, somewhat puzzled.
“Would you care to stay for a meal?”
Ge Yan hesitated. “N-no, that’s alright. I just ate this morning.”
Besides, the one he liked was Cen Yan.
If she kept getting involved with men who liked Cen Yan, she’d probably be torn apart by her fans again.
Butler Zhang added, “Just to keep our sir company while he eats.”
Song Bojian forced down the eagerness in his gaze, but he couldn’t show too much urgency.
Ge Yan still wanted to refuse, but then she remembered they had helped her collect lotus root powder yesterday. She really ought to thank them. She couldn’t bring herself to refuse again.
“Alright then.”Song Bojian tilted his head slightly and instructed Zhang Butler, “Have Aunt Wang prepare more dishes.”
“Yes.”