Xia Wan slept until nearly five o’clock. After waking up, she changed her clothes, freshened up, and headed out.
She drove the Bentley Continental GT four-seater sports car her brother had given her.
The color was a custom seashell pink—her fan support color.
When Xia Wan arrived at the agreed-upon restaurant, a server led her to the reserved private room.
As soon as the door opened, she saw a handsome man with features so finely carved they were hard to look away from. Upon closer inspection, one could notice a slight resemblance to Xia Wan.
Seeing who had entered, a gentle warmth softened his brow, and a smile spread across his face.
“Brother,” Xia Wan called out softly.
She removed her mask and hat and took a seat beside Xia Lin.
The man smoothed her slightly messy hair, which had been flattened by the hat. “Wanbao, I’m sorry I couldn’t make it to your concert.”
“It’s okay, you can come next time,” Xia Wan replied with a smile. “Mom and Dad called you, didn’t they?”
“Yeah, they gave me an earful.” Xia Lin felt a headache coming on just thinking about the two elders abroad.
As soon as he got off the plane, he saw over a dozen missed calls on his phone—all from his parents.
At first, he thought something had happened to them overseas and immediately called back.
Little did he expect that as soon as the call connected, before he could even speak, he was met with a barrage of “questions.”
That call didn’t end until he got home from the airport.
Xia Lin handed the menu beside him to Xia Wan. “I’ve already ordered a few of your favorite dishes. See if there’s anything else you’d like to add.”
Xia Wan glanced casually at the menu before setting it down. With a grin, she said, “No need to add anything. Whatever you ordered for me is definitely what I love.”
“You…” Xia Lin looked at his sister with nothing but affection.
He picked up the water pitcher on the table and filled the cup in front of her. “Nan Li mentioned you’re planning to take on endorsements?”
“Mhm, how did you know?” Xia Wan was surprised by how quickly her brother got the news.
She had only made the decision that morning, and he already knew by evening. She had planned to tell him over dinner.
“I saw Nan Li at the company this afternoon. She reported it to me. Besides, when it comes to matters about you, I’m always the first to know.”
“Why the sudden interest in taking on endorsements?” He was also puzzled by Xia Wan’s decision.
Xia Wan repeated to her brother what she had told Sister Nan.
After hearing her out, Xia Lin said, “I didn’t start this company expecting you to make money for me. The company has other artists too. If you don’t want to take on endorsements, don’t. Don’t worry about anything.”
He wasn’t so poor that he needed his little sister to work for him to earn money. If their parents found out, they’d lecture him all over again.
“No, I’m doing this willingly. I want to earn a lot of money and become a little rich lady.” Xia Wan looked at her brother with a gleam of greed in her eyes.
“Are you short on money?” Xia Lin focused on her mention of wanting to earn money. He took out his wallet and handed Xia Wan a bank card. “The password is my birthday. There’s no spending limit.”
Xia Wan looked at her generous brother, took the bank card, and placed it back in his wallet. “I have money, lots and lots of money.”
Just the earnings from her albums over the past two years alone amounted to a considerable sum.
On top of that, she had her own little nest egg. She was far from short on money.
Xia Lin was still confused. “Then why do you want to earn more?”Xia Wan revealed a delicate smile, her pearly white teeth showing as she said playfully, “No one ever complains about having too much money.”
Xia Lin actually found some sense in her words. “Alright, but on the condition that you don’t overwork yourself.”
After speaking, he added some food to Xia Wan’s plate.
Halfway through the meal, Xia Wan spoke up, “Brother, do you know the owner of Yi Bay Resort?”
Xia Lin asked curiously, “Why do you ask?”
Xia Wan shared her thoughts, “I want to stay there for a few days and look for inspiration for songwriting.”
She sighed and added, “But Sister Nan said the resort’s owners will be there these next few days, so it’s closed to the public.”
Xia Lin always tried his best to fulfill his sister’s requests, and this time was no exception. “I’ve dealt with one of the owners a few times. I’ll call him later—it shouldn’t be a problem.”
Xia Wan was delighted. “Thank you, brother.”
Xia Lin asked, “Are you going alone or with friends?”
“Alone. My friends are busy these days.” She wanted to check out the place first to see if it was worth visiting.
If it was really as good as people online said, she would go with her friends next time.
Given her status, Xia Lin wasn’t comfortable with her going alone. “Then take your assistant with you.”
Without hesitation, Xia Wan refused, “No, I just want to stay there quietly by myself for a few days without being disturbed.”
She knew what her brother was worried about. “Don’t worry, no one will recognize me. Since the resort isn’t open to the public, only the owners will be there. They probably don’t follow celebrities and might not even know who I am.”
“Besides, it’s such a large resort—we might not even run into each other.”
Xia Lin shook his head. They might not be fans, but given her current fame, they would definitely know who she was.
However, Xia Wan had a point—she likely wouldn’t encounter anyone else there.
So he agreed to let her go alone.
After finishing their meal and preparing to leave, Xia Lin asked, “Are you going back to your own place or staying at mine?”
Xia Wan thought for a moment. “I’ll go to yours.”
She got into her brother’s car and left, having called her driver to take her own car home.
Upon arriving at her brother’s place, she went straight to her dedicated room.
“Knock, knock, knock.”
Just after Xia Wan finished drying her hair, her room door knocked. She didn’t need to guess who it was.
“Come in.”
Xia Lin entered carrying a glass of milk. “Wanbao, drink this before you sleep.”
“Okay.” Xia Wan took the milk and sipped it slowly.
This had always been her habit—drinking a glass of milk every night before bed.
She had been about to go downstairs to get some when her brother brought it up.
Xia Lin sat on a nearby chair. “You can go to the resort whenever you want. I’ve already made the arrangements.”
Xia Wan’s eyes widened in surprise. “So fast?”
Seeing her astonished expression, Xia Lin chuckled. “It was just a phone call—not a big deal.”
Xia Wan said excitedly, “Then I’ll go tomorrow.”
Xia Lin replied, “Alright, I’ll take you there.”
Xia Wan quickly shook her head. “I’ll have the driver take me.”
Her brother was a very busy man.
“Fine.” Xia Lin took the empty milk glass from her hands. “I’ll head out now. Get some rest early.”
“Goodnight, brother.”
“Goodnight.” Xia Lin closed the door behind him as he left.
The next day.
When Xia Wan woke up and went downstairs, her brother had already left for the company.There was breakfast prepared on the table, along with a note that said if the food got cold, she should heat it up.
After finishing her meal, Xia Wan had the driver pick her up and return to her own home.
As soon as she arrived, she started packing her luggage.
“Wan Wan, where are you going?” Xiao Xiao asked upon arriving at her house and seeing Xia Wan standing in front of the wardrobe with a suitcase beside her.
She hadn’t received any news about work-related travel.
Xia Wan wasn’t surprised by Xiao Xiao’s arrival—Sister Nan and Xiao Xiao both knew the passcode to her home and could come and go as they pleased.
“I’m going to stay at Yi Bay Resort for a few days,” Xia Wan replied, selecting a few pieces of clothing and tossing them into the suitcase.
“Are you leaving today?” Xiao Xiao asked, helping Xia Wan pack.
Xia Wan said gently, “I’ll head over this afternoon. You have the next few days off, so you can relax and go out to have some fun.”
“Great!” Xiao Xiao responded happily.
Anyone would be delighted to hear they had time off, and she was no exception.
“Xiao Xiao, could you help me pack my skincare products? I’m going to pick out some perfumes.”
Xia Wan had a particular habit—she loved collecting perfumes. She had at least a few hundred bottles at home, each with a unique scent, none of them common or mass-market fragrances.
She could go out without makeup, but she always had to wear perfume. She wanted to smell nice at all times.
Since she planned to stay at the resort for a week, Xia Wan selected seven different perfumes and a few scented candles.
By the time Xia Wan returned to the walk-in closet, Xiao Xiao had already finished organizing her suitcase, with everything neatly arranged.
“Xiao Xiao, you’re so capable,” Xia Wan praised—quick and efficient.
Xiao Xiao didn’t leave until she saw Xia Wan get into the van and drive away.
For her days off, she had no intention of going out. All she wanted was to stay home, eat, sleep, and binge-watch dramas!