Uncle’s house wasn’t far, and they arrived in just over twenty minutes.
Getting out of the car, Chi Yan took in her surroundings. Since her mother had been hospitalized in her previous life, it had been a long time since she last came to her uncle’s house, and she couldn’t help but feel a bit sentimental.
“Oh, isn’t this Xiaoru? Come in, come in!”
Chi Yan’s mother said, “Sister-in-law, isn’t my brother home?”
“Your brother went to the company early this morning and hasn’t come back yet,” her aunt replied, pulling Chi Yan’s hand. “You’re graduating this year, aren’t you? Will you be joining your father’s company after graduation?”
Chi Yan smiled. It had been a long time since she had experienced her aunt’s eagerness to please her. She didn’t expect to relive this treatment after being reborn.
“I’ll think about it. I haven’t decided yet.”
“This child,” her aunt muttered before turning to her mother. “Why didn’t you let us know you were coming? I didn’t prepare any of your favorite dishes.”
“No need for that, sister-in-law. Yan and I plan to stay here for a while.”
Chi Yan saw her aunt’s expression shift for a split second and shook her head. Her aunt was still just as snobbish.
Back then, when her father had grown tired of her and her mother, and when they were bullied by Yang Yueyi and her daughter, her aunt had pretended not to know them.
During their hardest times, even when her uncle wanted to help, her aunt had stopped him.
Seeing her aunt hesitate as if choosing her words carefully, Chi Yan said, “It’s all because of Dad. He brought another woman and her child home!”
“This—this is true?” her aunt exclaimed, her voice full of shock.
Her mother glanced at Chi Yan and said, “Yes. I don’t want to see him, so I thought I’d stay here for a while.”
“Xiaoru, you can’t! If you leave, aren’t you just making it easier for that vixen? You’re the wife your husband married into the family. How can he do this?”
“Aunt, please don’t mention it. My dad is completely under that woman’s spell,” Chi Yan said, shaking her head. “Even I can’t compare to the child she brought with her.”
“Then all the more reason for you to go back! What if—what if that woman and her daughter take over? What will happen to you and Yan?”
Chi Yan’s mother shook her head. “I know what I’m doing, sister-in-law. Let’s not talk about it anymore.”
“The worst that can happen is Mom divorcing Dad. What’s there to be afraid of?”
Chi Yan observed her aunt’s expression and saw that she had indeed fallen silent, her eyes darting around uneasily. It was clear she wanted to persuade them to return home.
She hadn’t considered this carefully enough. Even though her uncle was her mother’s biological brother, he had his own family. Moving in with him would only burden him.
But Chi Yan had no choice. She hadn’t started earning money yet, had no savings, and couldn’t afford to live elsewhere with her mother. Even if she brought it up, her mother would refuse.
It seemed she had to start looking for an agency soon. Joining the entertainment industry was the fastest way for her to make money. Besides, she loved acting. Becoming an actress was the best option for her.
Moreover, she still held a grudge over not winning the Best Actress award in her previous life.
On the night of her accident, she had been nominated for Best Actress and invited to the Songzhu Awards ceremony. But the result hadn’t been in her favor—the award went to someone else.
She had been confident about that ceremony, so learning the result was deeply disappointing. Before that, she had been nominated multiple times but had never won, earning her the title of “Professional Runner-Up.”
The public acknowledged her acting skills, yet she had no award to prove her abilities.
Chi Yan refused to believe that, with the experiences from her past life, she still wouldn’t win Best Actress this time around.
After settling them in, her aunt called her uncle and asked him to come home early for dinner.
Unlike her aunt, her uncle truly cared for his only sister. As soon as he got the call, he rushed back immediately.
When he saw Chi Yan, he asked, “Did something happen? Do you need me to do anything?”
Hearing her uncle’s words, Chi Yan felt warmth in her heart. In this world, only her uncle would stand by her and her mother’s side unconditionally, without even knowing the full story.
“No, Uncle, it’s nothing,” Chi Yan replied, not intending to hide anything from him, but unsure of how to explain. “Let’s eat first.”
She didn’t speak, but her aunt couldn’t keep things to herself. During the meal, she told her uncle about Chi Yan’s father bringing the mistress and her daughter home.
“Ridiculous!” Her uncle was so angry that he nearly dropped his chopsticks. “How could he do this? Xiaoru, if you and Yan don’t want to go back, just stay here with me.”
“Alright, but I’m afraid we’ll be troubling you and sister-in-law,” her mother said.
Chi Yan noticed her aunt’s forced smile and hesitation but kept her head down, focusing on eating.
Once she made enough money, she would move out and stop burdening her uncle.
The next day, Chi Yan received a message from her professor asking her to come for rehearsal in the afternoon. Only then did she remember that she had agreed to be the host for the graduation ceremony.
At this point, there was no way she could refuse, so she had no choice but to go.
But when she found out that the graduation ceremony was in just two days, she panicked a little.
Fortunately, the program wasn’t too complicated, and with her past-life experience, she adapted quickly during rehearsal.
However, her plans to find an agency had to be postponed again.
When people were busy, time always seemed to fly by. In the blink of an eye, two days had passed.
“Chi Yan, you’re the most reliable. This is the final rehearsal—do well this afternoon. There will be an outstanding alumnus giving a speech today, so the graduation ceremony will be delayed slightly.”
“I got it. Thanks, Professor,” Chi Yan said with a smile. “Professor, can I go to the cafeteria now?”
“Go ahead.”
Chi Yan walked into the second cafeteria and noticed that it was especially crowded today.
The second cafeteria was close to the auditorium but far from the academic buildings, so students usually didn’t come all the way here to eat.
After placing her bag on a seat to reserve it, she had no choice but to pick the line with the fewest people.
“Excuse me, classmate, can I borrow your meal card?”
Chi Yan turned slightly and saw a man in a well-tailored suit with sharp facial features and a defined nose bridge. Even though she had seen many handsome men in the entertainment industry, she couldn’t help but admit that he was strikingly good-looking.
“Sure.”
Just as she spoke, it was her turn to get food. She casually ordered a portion of vegetables and then handed her meal card to the man.
As Chi Yan glanced around casually, she noticed that many students in the cafeteria were secretly observing her and the man.
“The outstanding alumni will be returning to the school this afternoon.” She immediately recalled what her teacher had mentioned earlier and realized that this man must be one of the well-known graduates who still held a lot of popularity.
“Thank you. Would you mind adding me on WeChat? I’ll transfer the meal cost to you.”
Chi Yan thought for a moment and agreed—after all, making useful connections when they presented themselves was never a bad idea.
She pulled up her QR code for the man to scan.
Soon, a new friend request popped up on her WeChat. The name displayed was Shen Chen.
Oh, she just hit the jackpot.
Chi Yan had heard of this name before. Shen Chen had graduated from the university’s finance department. Rumor had it that he was a rich second-generation heir, but he had started his own business while still in college. In her past life, by the time she had her car accident, he had already become the richest man in Haishi, with countless fans admiring him.
No wonder the cafeteria was packed today.
“I still don’t know your name, junior.” Shen Chen’s lips curled into a slight smile as he looked at Chi Yan, his expression warm and approachable.
“Chi Yan—‘Chi’ as in pond, and ‘Yan’ as in fireworks.”
“That’s a beautiful name,” Shen Chen remarked. “I’ve already sent the money, so be sure to check.”
Chi Yan quickly put the small encounter behind her. Her schedule was tight—after finishing her meal, she needed to head to the auditorium.
She hadn’t done her makeup or changed outfits yet. Before that, she also needed to familiarize herself with the stage movements once more.
What Chi Yan didn’t expect was to run into Shen Chen again while doing her makeup backstage.
“Are there any makeup artists available? Please give your senior, Shen Chen, a little touch-up as well.”
Chi Yan looked at the teacher who had brought Shen Chen over, feeling confused. Why was someone from the economics department coming to the journalism department?
The teacher happened to notice Chi Yan and called out, “Are you almost done? Once you’re finished, help Shen Chen with his makeup. He has to give a speech later.”
“Huh?” Chi Yan was stunned. How did this task fall on her?
The teacher, being extremely busy, simply assigned the job to Chi Yan before rushing off to handle other matters.
“Senior,” Chi Yan gave an awkward smile, “I still need to apply my eyeshadow, so could you please wait for a moment?”
Shen Chen agreed. “Sure.”
He casually pulled over a chair and sat near Chi Yan.
From the mirror, Chi Yan could see Shen Chen watching her makeup process closely. She asked, “Senior, do you think makeup is troublesome?”
Then, she laughed at herself.
“Not really. I just think it’s fascinating,” Shen Chen replied before adding, “I didn’t expect to run into you again so soon.”
Chi Yan followed his lead and said, “Yeah, I guess we’re pretty fated.”
While chatting, Chi Yan continued applying her makeup. Since she was already skilled at it and today’s look was fairly simple, she finished quickly.
“Senior, it’s your turn.” Chi Yan stood up and gestured for Shen Chen to take a seat.
Shen Chen raised an eyebrow and said, “Just don’t put too much on me—I’m not used to it.”
“Got it.”
Chi Yan carefully examined Shen Chen’s skin and remarked, “Senior, your skin is in good condition.”
Then, she opened a fresh beauty sponge, dabbed a little sunscreen on it, and began applying it to his face.
“Close your eyes.”
Shen Chen obediently shut his eyes, feeling the light dabs on his face. The sensation was a little ticklish.
“Alright, all done.”
Shen Chen opened his eyes and looked at himself in the mirror. “Why do I look so much fairer? I feel like you barely did anything.”
“Well, makeup is known as one of the ‘Four Great Asian Sorceries,’” Chi Yan said playfully.
Just then, the teacher entered the room and urged, “Shen Chen, are you done? It’s time for your speech! Chi Yan, grab a copy of the program and review it again!”
our male lead is here~
