Pampered by Short-Lived Bigshot

Shen Shuci's colleague had recommended an internet-famous restaurant that required advance reservations; she had checked out the restaurant's photos and reviews online—all seemed fine. She had made the reservation and, right after work, the Huo Family car had already been waiting at the usual spot. But upon arriving at the restaurant...

She was somewhat stunned!

The restaurant looked completely different from the photos—there were various rose balloons, heart patterns, and melodious violin music filling the air with romance and warmth. Each table had candle bouquets, and even the napkins on the plates were folded into something resembling a heart shape.

The online pictures had shown a regular, proper restaurant.

But at the venue...

One would think it was a place exclusively for couples.

The whole scene was filled with pink bubbles.

Shen Shuci's face spelled "awkward" in capital letters.

"Welcome, do you have a reservation?"

Seeing what the restaurant was like, Shen Shuci was hesitant to stay, but someone responded faster, "Yes."

"Last four digits of the phone number?"

"8055." Shen Shuci hadn't expected that he would effortlessly recite the last four digits of her phone number. The waiter then led them in, poured two glasses of lemon water, "You can start by looking at the menu."

"Thank you." Shen Shuci browsed the menu while her gaze still scanned the surroundings—it seemed like the place was decorated for Valentine's Day and never reverted.

All the way, she couldn't find a topic to talk about and kept insisting that the restaurant was delicious and that she had specifically chosen it, but...

How could it turn out like this.

"Both of you could try our couple's set meal written at the end of the menu—it's particularly good value and comes with a complimentary bottle of red wine."

Shen Shuci grew even more embarrassed...

The waiter was too enthusiastic, overpowering Shen Shuci who gave a wry smile, "We are just ordinary friends, not a couple."

"It's fine for friends too. Many best friends come here and order the couple's set because it is worth it, and there's no rule saying that a couple's set must be eaten by a couple, right?"

"Well... Mr. Huo, what do you think?" Shen Shuci was immensely frustrated.

"I'm okay with anything."

"Miss, the couple's set meal is really a great deal." The restaurant had its daily specials, and they often prepared more portions for these dishes, so the waiter naturally promoted them. In the end, Shen Shuci had no choice but to nod in agreement...

The two of them found themselves inexplicably seated in such an environment, ordering a couple's set meal. When she saw that even the fried eggs were heart-shaped, she almost lost it. Glancing at the person opposite her, he had neatly cut his steak and pushed it toward her without a word.

"Thank you." Shen Shuci was extremely embarrassed.

He seemed not uncomfortable at all, and gradually, Shen Shuci felt relieved, "How do you find the taste of this restaurant?"

"Pretty good."

Shen Shuci nodded; as long as he felt it was good...

Midway through the meal, Tang Wan called her, making her heart skip a beat, "Sorry, I need to take this call." She had arranged to have dinner with Tang Wan, and it seemed not so good if he knew about that.

"Auntie, I'm almost done here. If you haven't had dinner yet, I can come to you." It was only a quarter past six—not too late.

"I'm already eating."

"Then another day."

...

When Shen Shuci returned, he had already finished eating, had put on his coat, and looked like he was about to leave, "Have you finished eating?"

"Something came up."

"Work?"

"Yes." He was buttoning up his coat, looking down at her. The man was so tall that standing next to him always gave her the illusion of being completely enveloped.

"Then you go ahead, I'll head back after I finish eating." It was somewhat uneasy for guests to leave halfway through a meal arranged together; Shen Shuci smiled at him, pretending not to mind.

"Have them drive you back after you're done."

"No need, I drove here myself..."

"Next time, my treat." He took a step closer to her, causing Shen Shuci's heart to jump as she instinctively looked up at him. The man leaned down slightly, his voice deep and hoarse, "Wait for me to come back."

Shen Shuci's heart thudded violently against her chest, making her breathing momentarily difficult.

"Just have your meal, no need to see me out."

The man passed by her like a breeze, leaving ripples in the calm. Shen Shuci stood there for over a minute, her heart seeming to beat even faster than before, until a waiter came over to ask if they were ready to leave, snapping her back to reality.

A dinner meant for two, now missing one, always felt a bit bland. Shen Shuci barely filled her stomach. When she went to pay the bill, the waiter informed her, "That gentleman earlier has already settled the bill."

Shen Shuci paused, a strange feeling rising unbidden in her heart. As she drove back home, she noticed the Huo Family's car following behind her. It didn't leave until she had parked her car in the garage and gone up the stairs.

She lay on her bed, staring at his phone number, lost in thought...

Some words, even if uttered from a cold person's mouth, always carry a touch of warmth and persistence, like:

"Wait for me to come back."

"Apparently, he ended up paying when it was supposed to be my treat tonight to thank him," she thought, feeling increasingly indebted the more she thanked him.

**

At Tang Wan's end, she initially had an appointment with a client. Jiang Jinsang thought she'd be dining out, so he was somewhat surprised to see her come home early just as they finished dinner.

"Weren't you supposed to dine with a client?"

"I met with them this afternoon and felt there was no need for dinner," Tang Wan shrugged, heading to the kitchen to fix herself something to eat, "It's still about your classmate looking to collaborate with us."

"I thought, since there is money to be made, we might as well discuss it, but their team proposed some outrageous terms."

"They wanted to launch a co-branded product and insisted on listing You Congrong's name as the designer."

You Congrong was, of course, the female celebrity.

"Their team wants to boost her profile as a designer, a talented woman. I understand, since nowadays, everyone is selling an image. They offered some suggestions for the co-branded product, and I agreed to include her name."

"Then what happened? How did the talks fail?" Jiang Jinsang asked.

They hadn't even dined together, and the deal was obviously off.

"Their team demanded her name be listed first."

Jiang Jinsang scoffed lightly, "They aren't looking for collaboration but for a free ride."

Everyone knows that having one's name first in credits usually garners more recognition, and if it's a collaboration, usually only the person listed first is acknowledged. They mean to take all the credit for Tang Wan's work.

"That's why I refused them outright. I thought we might continue talking over dinner, but there's no point now. I should have just gone to dinner with my auntie."

Reflecting now, Tang Wan still found their team rather ludicrous. If their artist really had the talent, she could just design and produce on her own. Why bother with a collaboration?

That evening, You Congrong's team called twice more to discuss the collaboration. Everyone has their limits, and concerning credit rights, Tang Wan wouldn't budge. Without consensus, they parted on unfriendly terms.

Tang Wan thought she had made her refusal clear, but the very next day before she even reached her studio, Chen Zhi called.

"Wanwan, did you agree to collaborate with You Congrong?"

"No."

"There are rumors online that our studio is launching a co-branded jewelry line with her. A lot of netizens are discussing it." Tang Wan and Jiang Jinsang had just registered their marriage, which had been quite the sensation, and she was also Fan Mingyu's daughter-in-law. Although not a celebrity, she still attracted considerable attention.

"I really like W Studio's designs, and they're collaborating with a star I like. Can't wait for the official announcement."

"I wonder what kind of jewelry it will be. I hope it's not too expensive."

"This is such a dream team, my two favorite ladies."

...

Especially fans of You Congrong, who had widely spread the news. Tang Wan's works were consistently well-reviewed, and major studios were plenty, but Qi Zeyan wouldn't have chosen her studio if her designs weren't top-notch. Plus, her current ties with the Jiang Family meant there was huge potential for hype.

Many fans from other agencies were quite envious; collaborating with Tang Wan almost guaranteed a connection to the Jiang Family. Although the Jiangs were not involved in the entertainment industry, their influence was significant.

Who wouldn't want their favorite artist to become more popular?

After browsing online for a while, Tang Wan arrived at her studio and told her employees, "Ignore all that, just focus on your work."

Claiming these online rumors now would seem like a slap in her own face, making it seem as though she disdained You Congrong.

Although Tang Wan no longer intended to collaborate, she didn't want to make things too ugly. Over time, without further updates, the rumors died down.

**

Jiang Mansion

Inside, Jiang Jinsang was exercising. He heard the sound of a car but didn't pay much attention, until about five or six minutes later, Jiang Cuo knocked and entered, "Sir, we have a visitor."

Jiang Jinsang turned off the treadmill and casually grabbed a towel to wipe the fine sweat from his neck.

If it were someone they knew well, there'd be no need to inform him.

"Who is it?"

"Miss You."

"Which Miss You?" Jiang Jinsang paused for just two seconds, "You Congrong?" Tang Wan had just mentioned her last night, so he definitely remembered.

"Yes."

Before Jiang Jinsang could respond, another engine roar reached him. He walked to the window and looked down. Jiang Chengsi had just parked his car, kicked down the motorcycle stand, and removed his helmet, casually waving at Jiang Jinsang who he noticed standing by the window...

He ran his fingers through his hair and walked into the house, as carefree as ever...

Free-spirited.

"Has Fourth Master arrived?" Jiang Cuo, recognizing the engine sound, guessed who it was, "Fourth Master hasn't been here for a while. What brings him today...he's here too."

Jiang Chengsi had also been busy recently and hadn't visited for some time.

With the towel in hand, Jiang Jinsang wiped off his sweat, "Maybe today's breeze is…"

"An evil wind."

Otherwise, why would all creatures of the night be gathering...