His words were calm and indifferent, carrying a hint of reassurance, as if to convey that he didn’t care about these matters at all. Nor did he believe they would have any substantial impact on him.
“Given our relationship,” Sang Yan withdrew his hand, speaking leisurely, “don’t I still need your permission?”
“Hmm?”
“Otherwise,” Sang Yan said with a careless tone, “won’t you be the one at a disadvantage?”
“...”
Wen Yifan was momentarily stunned. After pondering his words, she replied earnestly, “I’m not that controlling. Your assets are yours to do with as you please. Spend them however you like—you don’t need to ask me.”
Sang Yan tilted his head, studying her thoughtfully.
A brief silence followed.
Seeing him stare at her without speaking, Wen Yifan couldn’t quite grasp his meaning. She set down her chopsticks and hesitantly asked, “Then... do you want to manage my assets?”
“...”
“That’s fine too, though there might not be much.” Though her salary had increased slightly after becoming a full-time employee, Wen Yifan hadn’t saved much due to living expenses. “Should I make a list for you later?”
Sang Yan stared at her for a long moment.
As if wondering how someone could be so utterly oblivious.
Wen Yifan thought for a bit and added, “You could also help me keep track of my expenses. I’m terrible at accounting.”
The corner of Sang Yan’s mouth twitched. He pinched her cheek hard. “You’ve got quite the imagination.”
...
By the time they finished breakfast, it was almost time for Sang Yan to leave for work. Wen Yifan stood up and, out of habit, checked her bag before heading out. Not finding her recorder, she asked Sang Yan to wait and returned to the room, quickly spotting it on the dressing table.
Just as she was about to leave, Wen Yifan suddenly recalled Che Xingde, whom she had encountered at "Overtime" the night before. Her movements paused, and after a moment of hesitation, she rummaged through the cabinet.
Then, she pulled out a bottle of pepper spray and slipped it into her bag.
—
Over the next few days, Wen Yifan asked Sang Yan several times whether Che Xingde had returned to his bar. But Sang Yan was busy with work and only visited "Overtime" occasionally, so he wasn’t entirely sure.
According to He Mingbo, however, it seemed he hadn’t.
Even if he had, he likely hadn’t caused any trouble, merely visiting as an ordinary customer.
Wen Yifan gradually relaxed. She figured Che Xingde probably had enough sense not to stir up trouble in someone else’s territory. Having been thrown out once, he likely wouldn’t repeat the same mistake.
Moreover, Wen Yifan had been swamped with follow-up reports lately, often commuting directly in the company car. She hadn’t seen Che Xingde again.
That incident seemed like a minor blip, leaving no lasting ripple.
Wen Yifan slowly pushed it to the back of her mind.
Mu Chengyun’s resignation was only approved a month later. With his good looks, gentle demeanor, and warm personality, he was well-liked in the team. As a result, on his last official day, the team threw him a farewell party.
To accommodate most people’s schedules, the party was set for late in the evening.
They planned to gather at a barbecue stall near the company after work for a late-night meal.
Wen Yifan still had an article to finish, so she let the others go ahead. By the time she wrapped up her work, it was nearly 10 p.m. Shutting down her computer, she grabbed her bag and left the office.The barbecue stall was located on the food street behind the company, about a ten-minute walk away.
Wen Yifan took out her phone and opened WeChat as she walked outside. Seeing the message from Sang Yan saying he was coming to pick her up, she curved her lips slightly and was about to reply that she’d be back late. But before she could finish typing, a rough, deep male voice suddenly reached her ears.
"First Frost."
Her fingers paused. Following the sound, she unsurprisingly met Che Xingde’s face. He was leaning against a nearby pillar, silent and unnoticed, as if he had been waiting there for who knew how long.
Her gaze cooled. She averted her eyes and continued walking as if she hadn’t heard him.
The next second, Che Xingde caught up and grabbed her arm again. His body reeked of a mix of alcohol, cigarettes, and thick sweat, the stench so overpowering it nearly made Wen Yifan gag.
She yanked her arm free and took a few cautious steps back, her hand slipping into her bag.
Che Xingde withdrew his hand and forced a smile. "What’s with this attitude every time you see your uncle?"
Wen Yifan stared at him. "What do you want?"
"It’s been years since we last met, hasn’t it?" Che Xingde rubbed his head vigorously, his gaze toward her unchanged from before. "Not bad, huh? You’ve been living well all these years—even found yourself a rich boyfriend who owns a bar."
"..."
"Now that’s more like it. Flatter that man of yours, get him to give you more benefits." Che Xingde smirked. "Back then, I told you not to bother with college, but you wouldn’t listen. And now? Still making money this way in the end, aren’t you?"
Wen Yifan closed her eyes briefly, feeling as though these people were like maggots, disgusting her to the extreme. Just looking at them felt like polluting her own vision. Her lips pressed into a straight line as she uttered three flat, emotionless words.
"Get lost."
Che Xingde wasn’t fazed. He reached for her again, shameless as ever. "What? Don’t like hearing the truth? First Frost, this isn’t right. You’re only thinking about yourself living the good life? Back then, because of you, I lost my job and couldn’t even hold my head up in front of the neighbors. And now you—"
Wen Yifan stiffened slightly, feeling she had reached her limit.
Just as her fingers brushed against the pepper spray in her bag, the grip on her arm suddenly loosened. A tall figure stepped in front of her, shielding her, and shouted, "What the hell are you doing?!"
Her breathing was slightly ragged as she instinctively looked up.
It was Mu Chengyun.
Even with another person present, Che Xingde still didn’t see anything wrong. His grin widened, the wrinkles on his face deepening. "I wasn’t doing anything. Just talking to my niece."
Mu Chengyun turned to her. "Yifan-jie, do you know this guy?"
Wen Yifan steadied her breathing. "No."
Hearing this, Mu Chengyun glared at Che Xingde, his expression dark. "She said she doesn’t know you. Are you leaving or not?"
Che Xingde glanced at Wen Yifan again. The whites of his eyes were yellowed, his pupils murky. Then he took a few steps back and sighed lightly. "Young man, I really am her uncle."
"..."
"There’s just a misunderstanding between us," Che Xingde added. "She’s just throwing a tantrum."
Mu Chengyun ignored him. "Yifan-jie, let’s go. Everyone’s waiting for you."
Wen Yifan nodded.
The two of them walked toward the barbecue stall, one after the other.Mu Chengyun stood behind Wen Yifan, as if afraid Che Xingde might suddenly approach again and do something inappropriate.
Che Xingde didn’t follow them further.
After walking some distance, Wen Yifan turned her head slightly and thanked him before asking, “Why did you come back?”
Mu Chengyun scratched his head. “I left my headphones at the office.”
“Hmm?” Wen Yifan asked. “Do you want to go back and get them now?”
“Forget it, it’s fine.” Mu Chengyun said. “I don’t feel like making the trip. I’ll just ask Da Zhuang to bring them to me later.”
Wen Yifan nodded and absentmindedly hummed in agreement.
“Yifan-jie, who was that man just now?” Noticing her expression, Mu Chengyun spoke cautiously. “I think I’ve seen him come looking for you before.”
Wen Yifan had already guessed as much, so she wasn’t too surprised to hear it. She just smiled faintly.
Mu Chengyun didn’t press further. “Be careful when you leave the office later. It seems like this isn’t his first time coming here. If you’re working late in the future, maybe ask Sang-xuezhang to pick you up.”
“Mm.” Wen Yifan shifted the topic casually, her tone light and calm. “I heard you signed with a pretty good film company? Congratulations.”
Mu Chengyun rubbed his head sheepishly. “Thanks, Yifan-jie.”
Wen Yifan smiled. “Is acting something you enjoy doing?”
“Yeah,” Mu Chengyun’s eyes brightened at the mention. “The first time I acted, a friend dragged me along to an audition. I didn’t expect to pass, but the whole process made me really happy.”
“That’s great.”
“What about you, Yifan-jie?” Mu Chengyun chatted idly. “Did you become a reporter because you like this industry?”
“...” Wen Yifan froze for a moment, lifting her head.
“What’s wrong?” Mu Chengyun grew a little awkward. “Did I ask something I shouldn’t have?”
Wen Yifan snapped out of it. “No.”
Mu Chengyun exhaled in relief.
“It’s just work.” Wen Yifan thought it over seriously before giving a measured answer. “I wouldn’t say I like it, but I don’t dislike it either.”
...
It wasn’t until they reached the barbecue stall that Wen Yifan remembered to message Sang Yan. She sent him her location and gave a rough estimate of the time, telling him not to come if he got off work early.
The farewell gathering didn’t end until eleven.
As Wen Yifan walked out of the food street with her colleagues, she suddenly noticed Sang Yan’s car parked at the intersection. Her expression faltered slightly as she quickly bid the others goodbye and jogged over to get in.
Fastening her seatbelt, Wen Yifan asked offhandedly, “Did you just finish overtime, or did you just come from ‘Overtime’?”
“Just got off work.” Sang Yan glanced outside. “So? Who was the farewell for today?”
“Mu Chengyun.” Wen Yifan answered honestly. “He submitted his resignation a while ago and officially left today. The colleagues threw him a farewell party.”
Sang Yan let out an “Oh,” his lips quirking in a somewhat mocking tone. “How heartbreaking.”
“...” Wen Yifan laughed. “Not really. He’s pretty happy. It seems he never really liked being a reporter. It’s good that he can do something he enjoys now.”
Hearing this, Sang Yan’s lashes flickered, and he instinctively looked at her. A moment later, he averted his gaze and leisurely started the car. “Let’s go home.”
Wen Yifan agreed softly.
She rolled down the window, leaning against it as she let the outside breeze wash over her.Sang Yan glanced at her: "Wen Shuangjiang, pull your hand back a bit."
Wen Yifan paused, then slowly retracted her elbow that had been sticking out the window. She then glanced at her phone, just as Zhao Yuandong's message notification popped up at the top of the screen.
The words "uncle" caught her eye.
Wen Yifan's gaze lingered, reminded once more of Che Xingde earlier and Mu Chengyun's words. Unsure if similar incidents would happen again, she hesitated before tapping to read.
Scrolling up, she saw a series of messages—Zhao Yuandong had been sending her a few lines every few days.
[Your uncle's family came to Nanwu today and are staying with me now. I know you don’t want to see them, so I’ve already talked to them. They probably won’t stay long—just temporarily settling in.]
[Your uncle’s brother-in-law really doesn’t seem like a good person. I was careless before and didn’t consider your feelings. At the time, I just thought your uncle’s family took good care of you and didn’t think too much about it. Can we talk properly?]
...
[Today, your uncle’s brother-in-law drove his friend’s car while drunk and crashed. The compensation is tens of thousands. I gave them some money and have already asked them to move out.]
...
[Your uncle’s wife came again today. I managed to get some answers. It seems they moved to Nanwu because they’re drowning in debt. If they come looking for you, don’t get involved. Don’t let them disrupt your life, understand?]
Wen Yifan stopped reading and exited the chat.
Beside her, Sang Yan spoke up: "Why the bad mood at a farewell party?"
Wen Yifan was taken aback. "Huh? No, I’m fine."
Sang Yan’s tone was ambiguous. "Reluctant to leave?"
"..." Wen Yifan chuckled, patiently replying, "Not at all."
Just then, the light turned red.
Sang Yan stopped the car and turned to look at her. His gaze seemed observant but not overtly so. After a long pause—until the light began flashing—he finally asked, "Did something happen today?"
Wen Yifan instinctively denied it. "No, why?"
"'Why'?" Sang Yan laughed. "Shouldn’t I be the one asking that?"
"..."
Sang Yan looked away and started the car again, tossing out only one sentence.
"If there’s anything, tell me."
A moment later.
Wen Yifan forcibly pushed thoughts of Che Xingde aside and brought up the report she’d worked on that day. "Well, today I did a follow-up interview—a family of three got into a car crash. Only the child survived, but they’re in a vegetative state now. It was just... depressing to see."
As if taking it seriously, Sang Yan pondered for a few seconds before murmuring a few words of comfort.
They drove all the way to the underground parking lot of their apartment complex.
After getting out, Wen Yifan took his hand and suddenly called, "Sang Yan."
Sang Yan: "Hm?"
"If you’re free later," Wen Yifan asked, "could you pick me up after work?"
"What kind of person do you think I am? Unless I’m working later than you," Sang Yan tilted his head, squeezing her fingertips firmly, "when have I ever not picked you up?"
"Oh." Wen Yifan smiled. "Just making sure."
...
Wen Yifan could roughly guess Che Xingde’s intentions for seeking her out.But she had no intention of dealing with these matters, nor would she ever act according to their expectations. Her work schedule was irregular, and sometimes she wouldn’t return to the station for days due to business trips. Most of the time, it was Sang Yan who came to pick her up.
As time passed, Wen Yifan stopped worrying.
She also didn’t believe Che Xingde would go so far as to camp outside the TV station all day just to wait for her over such trivial matters—
Because of Wen Yifan’s words, Sang Yan found yet another reason to brag. Moreover, his company had just completed a major project after working overtime, leaving him with plenty of free time.
Sang Yan began living a life of punctual arrivals and departures from work.
Every day, he would drop Wen Yifan off at work on time and then pick her up from her office building to take her home. If she had to work overtime, he would casually head to "Overtime" to brag for a while, waiting for her to finish so they could go back together.
Like right now.
Sang Yan sprawled casually in the center of the booth, holding a can of iced cola, leisurely saying, “Sorry, guys. Lately, I can’t drink.”
Su Haoan’s ears were about to grow calluses: “Get lost! Who the hell invited you here?!”
“My girlfriend insists I pick her up after work every day,” Sang Yan continued, unfazed. “I’d love to drink with you all, but she’s just too clingy. What can I do?”
“…” Qian Fei rarely came around after getting married, but he’d heard Sang Yan’s bragging plenty of times, whether through WeChat or phone calls. “Just get the hell out. I’ve had enough of this too.”
Noticing Qian Fei, Sang Yan brought up another topic: “Oh. Boss Qian, haven’t seen you around lately. Did you come here specifically to brag about how you taught Duan Jiaxu to chase girls?”
At this, Qian Fei’s expression stiffened.
“I really envy you guys,” Sang Yan said. “I’ve never experienced the thrill of pursuing someone.”
“…”
“Me? I’ve always been,” Sang Yan’s tone was arrogant and infuriating, “the one being relentlessly pursued.”
Su Haoan had had enough: “You dare say that in front of me?”
Sang Yan didn’t feel the slightest bit embarrassed. He turned back to Qian Fei: “Alright, Boss Qian, start bragging about your glorious achievements.”
Qian Fei forced himself to reply, “I really didn’t. Can you stop listening to that idiot Duan Jiaxu’s nonsense?”
The smile on Sang Yan’s face faded, replaced by a cold expression. “So that’s how you want to play it?”
Su Haoan was also annoyed: “What’s going on between you and Duan Jiaxu?! There are no secrets among brothers! Even if you didn’t teach him how to chase girls, with your shameless personality, you’d still take credit for it! Who the hell are you trying to fool with this denial?!”
“…”
Before Qian Fei could respond.
Yu Zhuo appeared on the second floor, looking uneasy as he addressed Sang Yan: “Yan-ge, there’s a customer downstairs claiming to be your uncle. He ordered a bunch of alcohol and doesn’t plan to pay…”
Sang Yan’s eyelashes flickered. “What uncle?”
Yu Zhuo added, “It’s that drunkard who got thrown out by Da-jun last time—the one who said he was your sister-in-law’s uncle.”
Su Haoan frowned. “What kind of idiot comes to my place to cause trouble?”
Sang Yan slowly arched an eyebrow, finished his cola, and stood up. “You guys keep drinking. I’ll handle this. And then,” he smirked, “I’ll go pick up my clingy girl.”
“…”Sang Yan went downstairs and was led by Yu Zhuo to a booth in the center of the first floor. At a glance, he spotted Che Xingde standing at the very edge, surrounded by a group of people. Che was currently yelling at the waiter, Xiao Chen: "My niece is your boss’s girlfriend! Why should I pay for anything?!"
Sang Yan walked over and casually took the bill from Xiao Chen’s hand.
Xiao Chen looked troubled. "Brother Yan..."
At the sight of Sang Yan, Che Xingde’s arrogance instantly vanished. He flashed a grin, revealing yellowed teeth, and patted Sang Yan on the shoulder. "Hey, you’re First Frost’s boyfriend, right? She’s mentioned you a few times."
Sang Yan ignored him and turned to Xiao Chen. "How much did this table spend on drinks?"
Xiao Chen quietly gave him the amount.
Che Xingde was still bragging to his friends, his smugness plain to see. "Come on, boys, take a look. This is my niece’s boyfriend—handsome, right? And generous too! A little tab like this is nothing to him!"
"..."
Sang Yan skimmed the bill, then lazily lifted his eyelids.
"Your compliments, I’ll take."
Che Xingde’s grin widened.
Before he could say more, Sang Yan added, "So, are you paying or not?"
Che Xingde froze, thinking he’d misheard. "Pay for what? It’s just a small amount—I’m your girlfriend’s un—"
"Not paying, then." Sang Yan dropped the bill onto the table, his lips quirking in a half-smile. "Fine."
He turned to Yu Zhuo and tossed out two words without hesitation.
"Call the cops."
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