"……"
At this rate, Wen Yifan felt like she was being brainwashed by Sang Yan.
—She had long heard of the unparalleled beauty of the Top Performer Sang at this establishment and traveled far to witness his stunning charm. Even after discovering that this Top Performer was her former pursuer, she still found herself moved and went out of her way to make her presence known in front of him.
Every action she took in front of him had an ulterior motive.
Suppressing the urge to vent, Wen Yifan calmly replied: [So it fell with you.]
Wen Yifan: [Sorry for troubling you again. Let me know when you're free, and I’ll come pick it up.]
After some thought, she realized they could easily avoid meeting: [Or you could leave the key at your bar, and I’ll pick it up from the counter. Would that work?]
A moment passed.
He didn’t reply immediately.
Wen Yifan wasn’t anxious and didn’t wait around. She continued working, carefully revising the draft before sending it to her editor. Only when her phone buzzed did she glance at it.
Sang Yan: [I’m busy these days.]
Patiently, Wen Yifan replied: [Then when will you be free?]
The next moment.
Sang Yan sent a voice message, his tone lazy: "Saturday night."
Saturday night...
Wen Yifan considered it.
She had Sunday off.
If she picked up the key from him Saturday night and returned it to her former landlord on Sunday, the timing seemed perfect. She’d just have to ask the landlord for a few extra days, but that shouldn’t be a problem.
Wen Yifan: [Okay.]
Wen Yifan: [Should we meet near Overtime Bar or your place?]
Wen Yifan: [I don’t want to trouble you to go too far.]
About half a minute later, Sang Yan sent two more voice messages.
Wen Yifan tapped to listen.
Sang Yan chuckled ambiguously, slowly drawling two words: "My place?"
"……"
Wen Yifan’s eyelid twitched.
As the message ended, the next one played automatically.
From Sang Yan’s tone, Wen Yifan could clearly sense the underlying message—"Don’t make your intentions too obvious"—though he didn’t say it outright: "Hmm? Let’s not."
Sang Yan: "Just come to the entrance of 'Overtime.'"
"……"
She had thought that since both sides had dropped their pretenses, their interactions might become more normal. But Sang Yan, perhaps due to years of excessive admiration, had developed an overwhelming sense of superiority.
As a result, no matter how ordinary the situation, he assumed others had ulterior motives toward him.
At that moment, Wen Yifan realized she had to be extremely cautious with every word she said around Sang Yan.
Even the slightest mention of anything related to him was off-limits.
Wen Yifan exhaled and replied: [Okay.]
Then she set her phone aside.
Her editor happened to send revision notes, and as Wen Yifan opened them, she noticed the time in the bottom right corner of her screen.
Her thoughts drifted momentarily.
Suddenly, she remembered—the last time she saw Sang Yan was two days after New Year’s. The key must have fallen then, meaning nearly a week had passed since.
Why had he only just told her about the key now?
Did he not want to contact her, so he waited for her to reach out first?
That seemed plausible.
Wen Yifan didn’t dwell on it.
After finishing her Overtime, she returned home.As soon as she entered, Wen Yifan saw Wang Linlin lying on the living room sofa, watching TV with a face mask on and a bowl of fruit salad beside her. She seemed to be in a good mood, even humming a tune.
Wen Yifan called out to her proactively, "Sister Lin."
Wang Linlin responded vaguely, "You're back? Seems pretty early today."
"Yeah, not much work today."
"This job is exhausting," Wang Linlin muttered. "In the years I've been at 'Chuanda,' so many people have left. All the overtime without extra pay—who can take it? Look how many in our team have fallen sick, spending their salaries just on hospital visits."
Wen Yifan simply smiled. "It's alright."
"By the way, Yifan," Wang Linlin suddenly sat up, bringing up something. "Did you get up in the middle of the night yesterday?"
Wen Yifan was taken aback. "No, I didn't."
Wang Linlin seemed to have mentioned it casually. "Then it must’ve been a dream. I thought I heard some noise in the living room when I was half-asleep. I checked the time—it was past 3 a.m."
"..." Hearing this, Wen Yifan suddenly recalled an old habit of hers. But she hadn’t had it in a long time, and Wang Linlin didn’t sound too sure, so after some thought, she decided not to bring it up.
"Mm." Wen Yifan glanced at the time and said, "Sister Lin, I’ll go take a shower first."
"Wait, hold on." Wang Linlin stopped her, patting the spot next to her. "Yifan, let’s talk. Come sit here—I have something to tell you."
Wen Yifan obediently walked over. "What is it?"
"You have to promise me first," Wang Linlin said, peeling off her face mask and tossing it into the trash, her expression slightly pleading. "You won’t get mad at me after hearing this."
Wen Yifan nodded. "Okay."
"Like I just told you, this job is really too exhausting. A month’s salary can’t even buy one of the bags my boyfriend gets me. I’ve lasted this long, but it’s really my limit." Wang Linlin continued, "A few days ago, I handed in my resignation to the director—I’m quitting. My cousin got me a new job over at Gaozi Kou—"
She paused here, her voice lowering. "It’s just... it’s pretty far from here."
Wen Yifan immediately understood. "So you’re planning to move out?"
Wang Linlin quickly explained, "Please don’t be mad. I didn’t know beforehand that the new job would be so far away. I originally thought we could keep sharing the apartment."
"..."
Perhaps genuinely feeling guilty, Wang Linlin was much more amiable than usual. "I’ll probably move out in a few days. Before I do, I’ll definitely find you a new roommate. How does that sound?"
Wen Yifan wasn’t particularly affected by this news.
When Su Tian had mentioned earlier that Wang Linlin was quitting, she’d already considered this possibility, so she wasn’t too surprised now. She certainly wasn’t angry.
Wen Yifan replied gently, "It’s fine, I understand. I’m happy for you that you found a better job. Don’t worry too much about finding a new roommate—I’ll figure something out."
"Ah, Yifan, you’re the best!" Wang Linlin sighed in relief, hugging her arm and acting coquettish. "I was so worried you’d yell at me. The first roommate I had before ended up in a huge fight with me over this."
"..."With the matter settled, Wang Linlin began to complain, "I'm really speechless. I don't think I did anything wrong. Am I not allowed to move out? When I asked her to share the apartment, I never thought I'd be moving so soon..."
Wen Yifan curved her lips slightly but remained silent.
"But Xiaofan, you're really reasonable," Wang Linlin said sweetly. "I'll definitely find you a very reliable roommate."
"No need, it's fine."
"Don't worry about it," Wang Linlin insisted. "I'll ask for your opinion before making any decisions, okay? If you don't like them, I won't force you to live with whoever I introduce."
Hearing this, Wen Yifan finally agreed.
"Then I'll trouble you with it."
Wang Linlin explained that once she finished handing over her work tasks and officially resigned, she would be ready to move. She had already found a place in Gaozi Kou and would move out by next weekend at the latest.
But Wen Yifan wasn’t in a hurry.
After all, Wang Linlin had already paid a month's rent.
She still had some time to find a new roommate.
However, Wen Yifan didn’t know many people in Nanwu City. She had lost touch with her former classmates. Although she had added many high school classmates from Nanwu to her WeChat contacts through QQ, she had barely spoken to them since.
So they were practically strangers.
There wasn’t much difference between them and complete strangers.
Wen Yifan decided to ask Zhong Siqiao for help.
After all, Zhong Siqiao had grown up here and even attended university in Nanwu, so she undoubtedly knew more people. Plus, anyone Zhong Siqiao introduced would feel reliable and trustworthy.
Before she knew it, Saturday evening arrived.
Knowing Sang Yan wouldn’t reach out first, Wen Yifan sent him a WeChat message as her shift neared its end.
Close to 8 p.m., Sang Yan finally replied: 【Come over.】
Wen Yifan hadn’t finished her outline yet, but she couldn’t ask Sang Yan to wait for her. She packed her things, planning to finish writing at home, bid her coworkers goodbye, and left the office.
As she approached Street of Vice,
Wen Yifan took out her phone and sent another message to Sang Yan: 【I’m almost there.】
After walking a bit further, she reached the pass that led into Street of Vice. Before she could step inside, she noticed Sang Yan standing just outside the entrance.
He leaned against a black lamppost, his skin pale under the cold glow of the streetlight, his face as expressionless as ever. Dressed in dark colors, his demeanor was aloof and unapproachable.
Wen Yifan hadn’t expected Sang Yan to personally deliver the key to her.
She had assumed he would leave it at the bar or ask a staff member to pass it to her.
Not wanting to waste his time, she quickened her pace. Just as she was about to call out to him, Sang Yan noticed her presence. He tilted his chin slightly, his posture lazy, and wordlessly tossed the key toward her.
Wen Yifan instinctively caught it. "Thank you."
Sang Yan gave a slight nod.
She pocketed the key, eager to get home and finish her outline. Never expecting pleasantries from Sang Yan, she took the initiative: "Then I won’t disturb you any longer. I’ll head back now?"
He didn’t respond."I've been troubling you too much lately," Wen Yifan said, going through the motions of politeness since she knew he wouldn't agree anyway. "Let me know when you're free—I'll treat you to a meal. I'm available anytime."
Sang Yan chuckled. "How many times are you going to say that?"
Before she could respond, he stared straight at her as if seeing right through her thoughts. The corners of his lips curled slightly as he remarked dryly, "You won't give up until I agree, is that it?"
"..."
"Fine." Sang Yan sounded reluctantly resigned, as if worn down by her persistence. "Today, then."
"..."
Caught off guard by his unexpected agreement, Wen Yifan's expression stiffened.
Noticing her reaction, Sang Yan tilted his head, his tone teasing. "What's wrong?"
Wen Yifan sighed. "Nothing. What would you like to eat?"
Sang Yan started walking. "Whatever."
She hurried to keep up. "Any dietary restrictions?"
"Plenty."
"..."
Wen Yifan suggested, "How about hotpot?"
Sang Yan: "No."
"Barbecue?"
"Too smoky."
"Sichuan cuisine?"
"Too spicy."
"Claypot porridge?"
"Not eating that."
"..."
Wen Yifan had never met anyone more finicky or harder to please.
She usually ordered takeout or cooked for herself, rarely dining out, and was now at a complete loss. With a resigned sigh, she said patiently, "Then you pick something you'd like. I'm fine with anything—no restrictions."
Just as Sang Yan was about to speak, his phone rang.
He answered.
They were standing close, and the voice on the other end was so loud that Wen Yifan could hear it clearly: "Sang Yan! Your place blew up!"
"..." Sang Yan frowned. "Speak properly."
"Shit, I mean—your building's on fire!" The voice grew increasingly frantic, almost shouting. "It's spreading to your apartment! It's practically gone! Get back here now!!!"
The surroundings fell silent instantly.
Wen Yifan immediately looked up at his phone.
"..."
Seemingly annoyed by the noise, Sang Yan held the phone away from his ear, only bringing it back after the yelling stopped. His expression remained completely calm as he said, "Oh. Then call 119 for me."
With that, he hung up.
Turning to Wen Yifan as if nothing had happened, he said, "Let's go."
Wen Yifan: "Your home is on fire. Aren't you going back?"
Sang Yan countered, "Am I a firefighter?"
"..."
A few seconds passed.
Wen Yifan suddenly asked, "Can I ask where you live?"
Sang Yan glanced at her. "Why?"
She pulled out her phone from her pocket and answered honestly, "I want to rush over and cover the story."
"..."
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