The bonfire blazed, sending sparks and embers drifting into the night sky.
Everyone held lamb skewers in their hands, beers in their cups, enjoying the cheerful atmosphere.
Ge Yan’s lamb skewers were truly exceptional—crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and perhaps because they had been marinated for a while, there wasn’t a hint of gaminess.
Seeing the lively mood and the live-streaming equipment still set up, Song Xiyuan finally saw her chance to shine. She suddenly stood up and said, “Thank you, everyone, for taking care of me. Today, I’d like to sing a song as a token of my gratitude!”
Qin Dehua, ever the enthusiastic supporter, immediately clapped. “Let’s hear it!”
Song Xiyuan’s family was wealthy, but the entertainment industry wasn’t just about money. As the lead vocalist of her group, she genuinely had talent.
She sang an a cappella version of “Julie.” Even without a microphone or accompaniment, her slightly husky voice, combined with the ambiance of the bonfire, made the song feel intimate and emotionally charged.
Song Ruan, no longer as socially anxious, was encouraged by the others to stand up and dance a modern piece around the bonfire. The young girl’s figure, illuminated by the firelight, moved with a light and graceful softness.
Song Xiyuan, who had been the center of attention, paused slightly, never expecting someone to steal her spotlight even at a moment like this.
After the singing and dancing ended, everyone applauded, and Ge Yan even invited the production crew to join in the feast.
Just as the festivities were in full swing, a slightly aged voice sounded from behind.
“Excuse me, everyone.”
They turned around to see an old man who had seemingly appeared out of nowhere.
Dressed in a tailored suit, with graying temples, he carried an air of elegance and approachability.
The old man bowed respectfully. “Would it be possible to purchase some of these lamb skewers from you?”
For a moment, everyone was stunned. Qin Dehua was the first to react, grabbing a handful of skewers and handing them over.
“Purchase? No need, old friend! Just take them and enjoy!”
The old man seemed surprised, likely not expecting the request to go so smoothly. He accepted the skewers with immense gratitude.
“No need to thank me! You…” Qin Dehua glanced at his designer suit. “Are you from the village too?”
“I am the butler accompanying the young master back to his hometown to pay respects to his ancestors.”
“Oh! I see! Just like the old butlers in those CEO novels!”
Shen Yan, who had played the secretary to many CEOs on screen, was seeing a real one for the first time. “Isn’t this the ultimate senior?”
Ge Yan glanced into the distance, likely thinking of the man she had seen in the courtyard earlier that afternoon.
The butler returned to the courtyard, where Lucky was already eagerly pacing around. However, the old man first handed the meat to the man in the wheelchair.
Song Bojian pretended to cough a few times. “I meant that Lucky wanted to eat.”
The butler simply smiled, having anticipated his words. “I believe the young master would like some too.”
He paused, then added, “After all, these were grilled by Miss Ge.”
Song Bojian was genuinely startled into a real cough this time, his gaze shifting uncertainly. “Is that so?”
She knew how to grill meat?
He took the skewer and took a small bite.
The butler casually fed another skewer to Lucky.
Lucky devoured it in a few quick bites.
When the butler reached for another, Song Bojian spoke up.
“Uncle Li, Lucky has high blood pressure. He shouldn’t eat too much lamb.”
A slow smile spread across the butler’s lips as he silently set aside the remaining skewer on a small tea table next to Song Bojian.
Back at the bonfire gathering, everyone was particularly curious about this CEO who had returned to his hometown to pay respects to his ancestors.
Shen Yan remarked, “I saw a luxury car driving into the mountains yesterday. I never expected it to be right at the foot of the neighboring hill.”
Qin Dehua chuckled. “What kind of CEO goes around asking for food in the middle of the night?”Song Ruan: “Maybe we got hungry from the aroma of Sister Yan’s barbecue!”
Ge Yan: “Hehe~”
Song Xiyuan, however, noticed that Ge Yan seemed distracted today, likely because Shen Yuanming had visited at noon.
She felt a bit smug, thinking that this woman’s seemingly calm and indifferent demeanor was all an act.
After everyone had their fill of fun, they began tidying up the scene in a lively manner.
Song Xiyuan approached Ge Yan and casually brought up, “I heard Mr. Shen visited Cen Yan on set today.”
Ge Yan frowned silently. Why were these people coming to pick a fight today?
“Is that so? So he sent you to keep an eye on me?”
Song Xiyuan raised an eyebrow, surprised that Ge Yan had seen through it.
“Mr. Shen is just worried you might do something foolish that harms others without benefiting yourself.”
“You’re really obedient, aren’t you? If Cen Yan abandons Shen Yuanming again and runs off abroad, who would you side with?”
Song Xiyuan was momentarily confused. “Side with who?—Ge Yan, when did your mouth become so sharp?”
Ge Yan smiled. Was this considered sharp?
If it were the original host, wouldn’t she have been bullied to death by them?
“Song Xiyuan, honestly, has Ge Yan ever really provoked you?”
Song Xiyuan was taken aback by this question. The look in Ge Yan’s eyes as she questioned her felt unfamiliar, as if she were seeking justice for someone else.
“You… made Cen Yan unhappy. How is that not provoking me?” Song Xiyuan avoided her gaze. “Cen Yan grew up with Shen Yuanming since childhood. I don’t know where you came from, but you somehow got the old master Shen to arrange the engagement… Always acting coy and clingy, who in the Shen family isn’t annoyed by you?”
She even spoke with a tone of earnest advice: “Honestly, it’s quite unbecoming for a woman to obsess over a man who doesn’t love her. And you’ve made yourself the laughingstock of the entire internet. Why bother?”
Ge Yan was both amused and angered by this speech. She threw down the firewood in her hands and looked Song Xiyuan straight in the eyes.
“I’ve never seen bound feet before, but today I’ve made an exception and seen a bound brain! It was Shen Yuanming who was misdiagnosed that year, and your dear friend Cen Yan got scared and ran away. I was forced to step in. Now that Cen Yan is back from abroad, I’m suddenly the one who stole someone else’s love? Do you think Shen Yuanming is some kind of treasure? Let me tell you, only trash can be stolen! Next time God showers brains, please put down that broken umbrella of yours so you don’t miss out again!”
Song Xiyuan’s expression mirrored Shen Yuanming’s perfectly.
“You… what did you say?”
Ge Yan had always been fawning and indulgent toward him. This was the first time she had spoken to him like this, and once she started, she couldn’t stop.
“So you’re allowed to bully others, but others aren’t allowed to speak the truth? Besides, don’t you know the real reason I became the laughingstock of the internet? I’m not a straw boat. Next time you have something nasty to say, don’t aim it at me. Thanks!”
Ge Yan pushed the stunned Song Xiyuan aside, picked up the firewood, and walked away.
Song Xiyuan stood there in a daze. Was the person who had just verbally blasted her really the same Ge Yan who had nothing but tears before?
Ge Yan, however, felt she had finally let loose today. Venting her feelings had lifted her spirits considerably.
After bidding farewell to everyone, Ge Yan and Song Ruan prepared to return to their room.
They hadn’t taken more than a few steps when they heard a noise. Before Ge Yan could react, a golden retriever had already pounced and wrapped itself around her leg.
Song Ruan, who was afraid of dogs, let out a startled cry.
Ge Yan glanced at the dog. Its fur was smoother than her own hair, indicating it had an owner.
No sooner had she said this than the butler from earlier approached from a distance.”Lucky! Why aren’t you listening again?”
Upon hearing the old man’s slightly stern voice, the dog could only reluctantly let go of Ge Yan.
“Sir, is there something you need?”
The old man, kind and well-fed, smiled warmly: “Our young master really enjoys your barbecue, so he prepared a gift in return for the young lady.”
With that, the old man handed Ge Yan a silk pouch.
Ge Yan’s eyes lit up with joy as she immediately took the pouch: “How embarrassing! How did your young master know I like… a few peeled garlic cloves?”
Her tone shifted instantly from delight to confusion.
The old man’s smile also faltered, and he quickly explained: “This was brought back by our young master from the Netherlands…”
Thinking the old man misunderstood her as being unappreciative, Ge Yan hurriedly clarified: “I like it! I really do!”
After all, garlic brought back from the Netherlands wasn’t something you could just eat anytime.
Later, the butler reported everything to Song Bojian.
Song Bojian gently pinched fish food between his fingers, his tone slightly hesitant.
“She really liked it?”
The butler replied: “It seemed like she did.”
“I see.”
The little koi in the pond had been fed so plump they could hardly swim.