Chapter 71: Name Your Terms

Listening to his manager’s fiery retort, Bian He gave an awkward chuckle. “Yes, yes, you’re right.”

“I was just joking earlier, don’t take it to heart.” Bian He’s expression quickly turned serious. “Send me the script so I can have a look.”

“And let me know when you have the candidates for the male lead, too.”

Hearing the steadiness in Bian He’s voice, the manager relaxed. “Alright, I understand.”

“I’ll let you know as soon as there’s any news.” Then, as if something struck him, the manager’s brows knit sharply together. “Bian He, you didn’t actually catch feelings on the show, did you?”

The manager watched the livestreams, not too often, but he’d seen the barrage of comments and trending posts raving about Bian He and Yan Ningsi’s chemistry.

He was worried Bian He might get too involved, so he gave a timely reminder. “You signed a contract with the company—no dating for five years.”

“Mm.” Bian He turned to look back, and instantly spotted Yan Ningsi among the crowd. Seeing the smile on her face, he couldn’t help the upward curve of his lips, but the next moment, he saw Zhuang Fei and Zhang Mingyang walking over to her.

Yan Ningsi seemed to have spotted something she liked and immediately left Sang Yijia behind to run over.

“I understand,” Bian He replied, forcing a smile. He might have feelings, but she clearly didn’t feel the same.

The manager didn’t catch the change in Bian He’s tone. “Good.”

The call ended. Bian He put away his phone and looked up, just in time to see Lan Qing stepping in from the entrance of the buffet. Lan Qing’s eyes met his, and the two exchanged a brief, cordial smile.

“The female lead…” Bian He mused, glancing up to see Sang Yijia looking his way. He smiled, “The second female lead.”

“Even if the script is mediocre, the show will still be a hit.” Bian He laughed, striding toward Yan Ningsi. But noticing Zhuang Fei was there, he changed direction and headed elsewhere.

Sang Yijia thought Bian He would come over, but seeing him abruptly turn aside, she let out a small exclamation, then turned to call for Yan Ningsi—only to catch Duan Yuqing out of the corner of her eye.

“You’re here too?” Sang Yijia had assumed Duan Yuqing was vacationing with friends at the resort, but seeing her alone, her brows lifted in mild surprise.

Delight flickered in Duan Yuqing’s eyes as she saw Sang Yijia. “Jiajia, you’re here too.”

Then Duan Yuqing noticed the camera nearby, glanced at Yan Ningsi with her, and slowed her steps.

Sang Yijia saw Yan Ningsi chatting happily with Zhuang Fei, so she said a word to Zhang Mingyang and walked toward Duan Yuqing.

“Where’s your friend?” Sang Yijia glanced around, not seeing anyone with Duan Yuqing.

“I came alone,” Duan Yuqing shrugged. “Still working, but is it okay to chat for a bit?” As she spoke, she looked around and finally spotted Lu Wenchuan not far away, then withdrew her gaze. “Not spending time with your boyfriend?”

Sang Yijia paused, picking up on Duan Yuqing’s teasing. She didn’t deny it, but she didn’t confirm it either. “It won’t get in the way of my work.”

She pointed at the camera. “Now that Wild is known as a world champion, the crew want you to get more screen time too.”

“All that’s just for show,” Duan Yuqing waved it off. “Shall we walk and talk?”

“I’m hungry.” She looked down at her now-flat stomach, then up at Sang Yijia, her lips curving with a hint of mischief. “I never thought you’d still love eating green hawthorn.”

“Mm.” Walking beside her, Sang Yijia could see the crown of Duan Yuqing’s head easily. She suddenly recalled that Duan Yuqing was only 150 centimeters tall—so petite, yet so striking now. If she were just a bit taller, how many girls would fall for her?

“They taste great. I like them.”

“What’s so good about them?” Duan Yuqing shook her head with a smile. “When I was younger, I didn’t know any better. I thought you really liked them, so I’d bring you some whenever we had them at home.”

“You must’ve found it hard to eat them back then.” Some details can’t bear close recollection. Only after Duan Yuqing started working post-high school did she realize how good Sang Yijia had been to her. She could have just said she didn’t like them that much, but instead…

Duan Yuqing exhaled softly. “Thank you for everything back then.”

“No need.” That was what the original host did; evidently, she’d truly wanted to be friends with Duan Yuqing.

“All those good memories are treasures. The future is what’s worth dreaming and chatting about.” Sang Yijia replied gravely, picking up a small tray and placing a few egg tarts on it for Duan Yuqing. “Join us later?”

“We can always add another seat.” Sang Yijia smiled warmly.

Duan Yuqing fell silent.

Meanwhile, not far off, Lu Wenchuan watched Sang Yijia’s gentle, smiling face, his gaze darkening a fraction.

Just then, his phone chimed.

The screen lit up.

It was a message from Qi Bin.

[Lu, Wild is here!]

[Can you ask if she’s interested in joining the team?]

[I’m begging you, Lu!]

Lu Wenchuan ignored Qi Bin’s texts, his gaze steady as he looked over. From his vantage point, Sang Yijia and Duan Yuqing had moved and were now mostly out of sight, only a sliver visible.

Unable to see the one he wanted to, Lu Wenchuan relented and replied.

[Okay, I’ll ask her later.]

He exited Qi Bin’s chat and clicked on Sang Yijia’s pinned conversation, marked as Jiajia.

Now, his fingers hesitated for a moment before he tapped in.

[Could you ask Wild about her upcoming plans?]

[A friend of mine wants to invite her to join his team.]

After sending the message, Lu Wenchuan looked up again at Sang Yijia amid the crowd, wondering how she’d respond.

Her phone vibrated. Seeing the message from Lu Wenchuan, Sang Yijia made a small sound of surprise.

Duan Yuqing glanced over but didn’t look at the screen. “What’s up?”

“Nothing.” Sang Yijia skimmed the message, then looked at Duan Yuqing. “Wild, what are your plans now?”

“Hm?” Duan Yuqing hesitated, quickly guessing Sang Yijia had just received a message about her. She replied calmly, “I’ve been let go by PE, so I have nowhere to go yet.”

“Jiajia, do you have any suggestions?” Duan Yuqing knew the show was live and some fans would be watching, maybe even people from PE. She glanced at the camera deliberately.

Sang Yijia paused. “A friend wants to invite you to his team.”

“But now isn’t the time to discuss this. After the show ends, I’ll have my friend contact you—how about that?”

Duan Yuqing agreed readily. “Sure.”

“Just call me once you’ve set a time.”

Sang Yijia thought it would take some convincing, but seeing how straightforwardly Duan Yuqing agreed, she was briefly puzzled before understanding. Then, with a smile, she extended her hand. “And of course, you can name your own terms.”