124: chat

The new film "blazing fire" directed by Director Zhao was a Lunar New Year release. As a realistic drama, it stood out as quite unique among the many immortal cultivation romances. Shen Lian played "Lu Xiaokai" in the drama, so naturally, he had to help with the promotion.

Before the nine-square grid photos were even posted, the fans were both indignant and helpless: [My brother, please do some business. It's the New Year; it's not too much to ask for a few lifestyle photos, right?]

As soon as the "Lu Xiaokai" poster came out, the fans: [Okay, brother, you're a real one!]

Chu Yilan followed his old rules: any employee who watched "blazing fire" could get their expenses reimbursed by the company's finance department with their purchase records.

Lin Fu, who played the protagonist "Feng Zheng," called Shen Lian on the morning of the fifth day of the Lunar New Year, his voice thick with excitement. "A few judges from the Golden Scale Award contacted me and subtly suggested I prepare an acceptance speech in advance. Shen Lian... regardless of whether I win or not, I can at least touch this award now!!"

Shen Lian smiled and said, "Congratulations! What did Director Zhao say?"

"Director Zhao said it's a sure thing."

"Then it's a sure thing." Shen Lian knew the Golden Scale Award carried a lot of weight. Unlike some platform awards voted on by fans for trending stars, this was meticulously analyzed and reviewed by real filmmakers. Lin Fu's acting was exquisite, making him a standout among the younger generation. It was perfectly reasonable for him to reach the next level with "blazing fire."

Online discussions about "blazing fire" grew increasingly intense, and what was rare was the absence of "billing disputes."

Shen Lian's fans tucked their hands in their sleeves and politely stated that if Lin Fu's fans included Shen Lian in their video edits, they would be very grateful.

Shen Lian naturally wouldn't compete with Lin Fu for anything; the two were friends. However, that didn't stop a group of "shippers" and niche fan-fiction readers from catching the scent and flocking in.

[Friends! A childhood friendship, sharing hardships and working hard together, only for one to climb to the peak and the other to return to a peaceful life—is this the distance between heaven and earth? No! This is the distance of unrequited love!]

[Feng Zheng is such a cold person, yet his eyes only soften when facing Lu Xiaokai. You're telling me there's nothing between them?]

[It's almost becoming the ultimate Bad Ending for me, boohoo.]

When Chu Yilan saw these highly upvoted comments, he sat on the sofa and let out a cold laugh.

Chu Zhumi originally wanted to come over, but seemingly sensing something, it revealed its little paw pads and walked silently and lightly. As it neared the door, it picked up speed and vanished in a flash.

Shen Lian: "..."

"Are you in frequent contact with Lin Fu?" Chu Yilan asked casually.

Shen Lian: "The last time we spoke was two months ago! He's much busier than I am."

Chu Yilan looked up. "What are you nervous for? Am I such an unreasonable person?"

"You are reasonable," Shen Lian said. "But that doesn't stop you from tossing me around after getting jealous."

Chu Yilan: "..."

"I'm done looking." Chu Yilan pinched the bridge of his nose and threw the tablet aside. "Get ready, we're going to Feng Yueshan's place."

Feng Yueshan had been calling Chu Yilan for three or four days, but the man had just been cooped up at home with Shen Lian. Today, he finally decided to show some face.

Unsurprisingly, when Shen Lian saw Feng Yueshan, Young Master Feng was half-drunk and half-awake.

"Didn't your old man say he'd skin you alive?" Chu Yilan sat down on the sofa.

The private room was large and crowded, exactly the kind of lively scene Feng Yueshan loved. However, since they were sitting there, not everyone dared to approach, making it quite convenient to talk.

Feng Yueshan chuckled. "Skin what? My dad can't be bothered with me right now."

Chu Yilan didn't take it seriously and poured a cup of light tea for Shen Lian. "Tell me about it."

"I might be getting a younger brother or sister." Feng Yueshan's tone was strange.

This time, Chu Yilan looked at him properly.

Feng Yueshan said lazily, "It's not an illegitimate child. When my dad pursued my mom back then, everyone knew about it."

Ning Sixian caught the subtext: "Auntie is pregnant?"

"Yeah," Feng Yueshan replied.

Father Feng had liked Mother Feng since university. He pursued her relentlessly for two years, and once she finally nodded, he immediately urged his family to settle the marriage. A business alliance combined with genuine feelings was like icing on the cake. They had Feng Yueshan right after graduating from university. He grew up like a little tyrant, doing whatever he wanted. When Father Feng told him the news that day, Feng Yueshan didn't even react at first.

"What do your father and mother think?" Chu Yilan asked.

"They said it's up to me." Feng Yueshan reached for a cigarette box, intending to light one. Chu Yilan lightly tapped the table, signaling him not to. Feng Yueshan hummed twice, crossed his arms, and continued, "My mom is in her forties. I'm mainly worried about the risks, but the doctor says everything is fine. My mom said if I'm unwilling, she'll have an abortion."

Ning Sixian: "Should I make the arrangements?"

"Get lost!" Feng Yueshan kicked him. "It's not your kid, so you don't feel bad, right?"

Hearing this, Shen Lian knew that Feng Yueshan wanted to keep the baby.

"I said this morning, whatever makes them happy." Feng Yueshan's thoughts wandered aimlessly, then he suddenly chuckled. "Having a little tag-along isn't bad. Even if it's a little loser, I'll provide for them."

Ning Sixian: "Maybe they'll be more capable than you."

Feng Yueshan: "Sure, give all the property to him, and he can support me."

Feng Yueshan had been drinking, and since everyone present was one of his own, he didn't hide anything. Despite his daily drinking and playing around, he had a vast network of contacts and knew people from all walks of life. No matter how many tasks Father Feng left him, he could complete them on time. Anyone who could call Chu Yilan a brother was no coward.

Shen Lian couldn't drink, so he would be the driver. Chu Yilan didn't hold back and sat at the table to play cards with Feng Yueshan, having a great time.

"Is there a mountain of gold piled up at home? He's so reluctant to come out." Ning Sixian sat down beside Shen Lian.

Shen Lian pointed at himself. "No gold mountain, but I'm at home."

Ning Sixian chuckled, holding his wine and clinking it against Shen Lian's tea cup.

Ning Sixian, Feng Yueshan, and the others didn't say it aloud, but they now truly accepted Shen Lian in their hearts. Without him, who knows what Chu Yilan would have become.

"You haven't felt uncomfortable anywhere these past few days, have you?"

"No," Shen Lian said. "Don't worry, I carry the medicine you prescribed with me now."

"Good." Ning Sixian had discussed Shen Lian's condition with several specialists at the hospital. Although there was a risk of an episode, it wasn't time for open-heart surgery yet. Since it hadn't reached that point, they would stick to conservative treatment. After all, that kind of thing was no joke; one surgery would severely deplete one's vitality.

The group made a ruckus from dawn till dusk. When they came out of the club, a cold wind was raging outside, and snow flurries were drifting.

Just as Shen Lian stepped down the stairs, two men in baseball caps rushed forward. But before they could take out their cameras, they were pinned down by the Bodyguards.

Nie Sheng snatched the camera from behind the other person and checked the photos one by one after opening it.

There were actually paparazzi lurking here.

Chu Yilan appeared behind Shen Lian with a dark expression. Tonight was a mixed bag of people; someone must have leaked Shen Lian's whereabouts.

"Damn, sorry, brother." Feng Yueshan, now half-sober, cursed with a dark expression, "I don't know which grandson did this, but I'd better not catch them."

Shen Lian waved his hand. "It's fine. I'm taking Yilan with me."