Chen Yubai: “Have you eaten yet? Why don’t we share a table and eat together? Your boss also told me that if I saw you, I should look after you.”
“Huh?” Xia Wan was completely unaware of what he was talking about, but if her brother could say that to him, it meant he was a good person. “I’m almost done eating.”
Chen Yubai: “Alright, then we’ll eat together next time.”
“Definitely.” Xia Wan had to give him that much face, after all, she was only able to come here thanks to his help.
Xia Wan hurriedly ate a few more bites before leaving. She felt a bit cold and wanted to go back to her room to add more layers.
Before leaving, she said goodbye to the people at the next table.
As soon as she left, Gu Chi spoke up, “Chen Yubai, why didn’t you tell me earlier that the person coming here was Xia Wan? I almost decided to kick her out.”
After all, some celebrities would try to latch onto them as soon as they saw them, especially those trying to cozy up to Ji Heng, since his company was in the entertainment industry.
Fortunately, the few of them kept themselves clean and wouldn’t let them get too close.
Chen Yubai: “I just found out myself.”
Ji Heng glanced at Gu Chi, “So, now that you know it’s Xia Wan, you won’t kick her out?”
Gu Chi blurted out, “How could I kick her out? She’s Xia Wan! My idol! She’s different from other female celebrities.”
“She’s so incredibly beautiful, truly worthy of being called a goddess!”
Ji Heng curled his lips, his tone somewhat mocking, “How embarrassing.”
Xu Haonan: “You really can’t blame Gu Chi for this. Putting everything else aside, just Xia Wan’s looks alone are enough to outshine all the artists in your company.”
Ji Heng had nothing to say to that.
Su Yi: “I agree. Weren’t you always trying to get Xia Wan to sign with your company? Why were you acting so aloof just now?”
Ji Heng argued, “I’m interested in her commercial value, not idolizing her like you guys.”
Xu Haonan had a sudden idea, “Now’s such a great opportunity. You could go talk to her personally, offer her the best terms, and maybe she’d be willing to join your company.”
Ji Heng’s attitude was the same as it had been on the plane last time, “That’s impossible.”
Seeing his attitude, Gu Chi immediately got upset and retorted, “No wonder Xia Wan doesn’t want to join your company. If it were me, I wouldn’t either. Look at how well her company’s boss treats her—he even personally called Chen Yubai.”
“Even if you wanted to sign with my company, I wouldn’t take you.” Ji Heng’s eyes conveyed the words “you’re not worthy.”
“You…” Gu Chi felt insulted. After all, he was the CEO of a major company!
“Alright, alright, you’re not going to win an argument with Ji Heng.” Su Yi interrupted, “But seriously, Xia Wan’s boss is really good to her.”
Not many company bosses could do what he does.
Chen Yubai: “Wanxia Entertainment’s first signed artist after its establishment was Xia Wan. She’s been a huge hit ever since and is the company’s living mascot, so of course they have to treat her well.”
Gu Chi said sarcastically, “But there’s someone’s company that others just don’t want to join.”
Ji Heng knew exactly who he was talking about and threatened, “Should I tell your dad about you participating in that game competition recently?”
“No, I’ll just eat and keep quiet.” Gu Chi immediately behaved himself.
During college, he was obsessed with playing games. After graduation, his four good friends all took over their family businesses.
Only he wanted to join a club and compete professionally.When his father found out, he was so angry he nearly ended up in the hospital. Without another word, he packed him off to the military, where he served for two years, only getting out early this year.
Having been thoroughly scared straight by his time in the army, he immediately agreed to take over the company after his discharge.
However, in his spare time while managing the company, he still played games and occasionally even participated in competitions.
After all, his old man hardly ever went online and had no way of knowing about his tournament activities.
Xu Haonan: “Any plans for tonight?”
“Other activities can wait until tomorrow; it’s a bit late today,” Gu Chi said with interest. “After dinner, let’s head to the game room to play games and drink.”
“Sounds good.” The others had no objections.
The top floor of the hotel housed their rooms, along with a game room.
This resort was a project they invested in during their senior year of college, and Gu Chi had specifically requested a dedicated game room for himself.
After arriving at her room, Xia Wan walked over to the private soaking tub inside, immersing herself in the water as she counted the stars, watched the moonlight spill down, and listened to the chorus of birds and insects from the forest.
Soaking in the hot spring, she replied to messages from her mother, who was far away abroad.
Her mother shared scenes from overseas with her, and Xia Wan reciprocated by sending photos of the resort.
Upon seeing them, her mother immediately said she wanted to stay at this place for a while after returning to China.
After finishing her soak, Xia Wan went through an elaborate skincare routine, and by then, it was already very late.
Lying in bed trying to sleep, she felt like she had forgotten something.
After racking her brain, she finally remembered what it was.
She hadn’t drunk her milk before bed.
Being in an unfamiliar place, she had almost forgotten this habit.
Xia Wan immediately got out of bed, threw on a knit cardigan, and headed out.
At this hour, she wasn’t sure if the restaurant was still open, so she quickened her pace.
To her disappointment, the restaurant door was tightly shut, and it was pitch dark inside.
Dejectedly, Xia Wan turned to leave—she really should have brought a few bottles of milk with her.
As she turned around, a dark figure suddenly appeared in front of her.
“Ah!” She let out a startled scream.
Her legs involuntarily took a few steps back, and a cold sweat broke out on her back.
Once she recognized the person in front of her, she said, “Why did you suddenly appear here?” Her tone carried a hint of reproach.
The person was none other than Ji Heng. While the group had been playing a few rounds of games and were about to have a drink, they realized they had left the wine they brought in the car.
He had come down to fetch it and was about to head back upstairs when he noticed a figure at the kitchen door.
He approached to check, not expecting it to be Xia Wan, and certainly not expecting to startle her.
Even by the silvery glow of the moonlight, he could see her slightly pale lips.
Ji Heng apologized, “Sorry, I scared you.” He had deliberately softened his footsteps, thinking the person at the door might be a thief.
“It’s fine.” Xia Wan had already calmed down from the earlier fright.
“Did you come here for something?” Ji Heng asked.
Xia Wan glanced at the bottle of red wine in his hand and guessed why he was there. “Yes, I was planning to get a glass of milk to take upstairs, but I didn’t expect it to be closed.”
Normally, the resort’s restaurant operated 24 hours a day, but after they finished dinner earlier, they had let the restaurant staff go home for the day.
With only the few of them here, none of them had the habit of eating late-night snacks.
They had completely forgotten that besides the five of them, there was one more person staying at the resort.But there was no other choice now. Apart from the security guard at the entrance, all other staff had already left work.
“I’m heading upstairs first,” Xia Wan said, not planning to stand there any longer.
She just hoped that even without drinking milk tonight, she could fall asleep quickly and have a good rest.
Ji Heng remained silent and simply nodded. After all, they weren’t familiar with each other and had little to talk about.
He deliberately avoided taking the same elevator as Xia Wan when going upstairs.