24: You have to take responsibility.

To be fair, Chu Yilan had never regarded Zhou Tangsi as an opponent.

Not in the business world, nor in any other aspect.

He simply couldn't understand how Zheng Ge's feelings could be divided into so many portions.

It didn't matter anymore.

Zhou Tangsi frowned. "Chu Yilan, you..."

"Shut up," Chu Yilan interrupted coldly.

"Please don't fight," Zheng Ge said in a weak voice.

Chu Yilan had already turned around. At the same time, a hand reached out from the car; the knuckles were distinct and beautiful, but the person didn't speak.

"Wrap yourself well in the blanket," Chu Yilan reminded.

Despite his words, he still took that hand and got into the car, and the door closed immediately after.

Both Zhou Tangsi and Zheng Ge were shocked by this scene.

The car drove away.

Who was in the car? Zheng Ge was suddenly very curious.

Chu Yilan didn't seem to take this little interlude to heart, and it was even less likely for Shen Lian to worry about it. After all, they had already kissed. Could the dignified Master Chu still back out?

But before entering the door, Shen Lian still gave a reminder: "You have to take responsibility."

Chu Yilan: "..."

Sometimes he really wanted to pry open this person's head and see what was inside.

As soon as Shen Lian called out, Aunt Fen ran to the kitchen. Ten minutes later, Shen Lian devoured another late-night snack.

After finishing a bowl of steaming hot fresh shrimp noodles and all the soup, Shen Lian felt the chill that had been seeping out from his bones disappear.

Looking up, he found Chu Yilan watching him with a serious gaze.

Shen Lian smiled sheepishly. "Not right now."

Chu Yilan: "?"

It took Chu Yilan some effort to find his rhythm again, and he also suppressed the urge to slap Shen Lian to death. What nonsense was he talking about? Didn't he see that the look in Aunt Fen's eyes had changed?

"I wanted to ask you, do you have regular physical check-ups?" Chu Yilan asked in a deep voice.

Shen Lian recalled for a moment. "I think so..."

The Original Host had undergone some basic examinations, and there weren't any major issues. As for the book's mention of the Original Host dying of heart disease, Shen Lian had never had the chance to confirm it, and he felt he wouldn't be that unlucky.

Chu Yilan was clearly dissatisfied with this answer. "Forget it, I'll arrange it."

This was the second time Chu Yilan had noticed something was wrong with Shen Lian.

The first time was when the young man came out of the bathroom and fell until his ankle bled. Then there was today. Shen Lian wasn't wrong; a kiss shouldn't lead to oxygen deprivation. But how could a young, vigorous man suffer from low blood sugar just because he missed one meal?

Shen Lian didn't decline. "Mm, thank you, Master Chu."

Aunt Fen took the dishes into the kitchen, and Shen Lian seized the time to ask Chu Yilan: "What flowers do you want to see tomorrow?"

"Take a break," Chu Yilan said. "My office could practically open a flower exhibition already."

It had reached the point where the executives entering his office lately were all trembling with fear, worrying if this was some kind of 'final scenery.' In short, vibrant colors didn't suit Chu Yilan at all; when things are abnormal, there must be a catch!

The most miserable one was the special assistant, Yang Bin.

Yang Bin asked himself three hundred times a day: what on earth happened?!

Shen Lian followed up, "Then I'll grow them at home. I see the balcony is quite empty. If we aren't home, Aunt Fen can help take care of them. Tending to flowers and plants will make her feel much better."

Chu Yilan: "Do as you see fit."

Shen Lian's eyes instantly lit up, and he smiled triumphantly.

This was Chu Yilan's private territory, yet he was starting to let Shen Lian take charge of the decor. Whether they admitted it or not, the relationship between the two had changed.

What else could it be? Chu Yilan thought. My first kiss... He pursed his lips, his mind unconsciously recalling that taste.

When they were getting ready to go upstairs to sleep, Shen Lian followed behind Chu Yilan. They were less than a meter apart. Chu Yilan was going to the study, but when he turned around, he found Shen Lian was still there.

Chu Yilan raised an eyebrow. "Is something the matter?"

Shen Lian hummed and hawed, not speaking.

To be fair, he had just gotten a taste of 'meat.' Was Chu Yilan a monk? How could he endure this?

Chu Yilan read something from Shen Lian's silence. His eyes darkened, and then he raised his hand to grasp Shen Lian's shoulder. Just as Shen Lian was about to say "In here?", the man spun him around and gave him a push forward.

"Go back to sleep," Chu Yilan dismissed him.

Shen Lian: "..."

Fine! Man, you're not allowed to kiss me next time!

Chu Yilan hadn't come to the study to work; he came to sort out his thoughts.

That kiss today was completely out of his control.

The time, the place, and the person all collided. Standing in that cramped storage room felt like having an affair. Chu Yilan had to admit it was stimulating and even a bit novel.

He didn't dislike Shen Lian at all. On the contrary, after Shen Lian's testing, every cell in his body was screaming, "Mine!"

Nothing was difficult, but Shen Lian had said, "You can always trust me."

For Chu Yilan, this step was no different from shedding his long-standing resolute shell and giving Shen Lian the opportunity to hurt him. Chu Yilan wasn't afraid of being swindled out of money—he could completely tolerate the inherent flaws in a person's character—he was just afraid that the feelings making his heart flutter were fake.

Shen Lian slept until broad daylight. At noon, someone contacted him.

The other party identified himself as Hu Kailan, the contact person and Agent assigned to Shen Lian by Star Opening. Since Shen Lian had not yet officially terminated his contract with Xingtu Entertainment, they could only communicate briefly over the phone. As for the contract, it would have to wait until the dust settled.

Shen Lian chatted with the other party with a very good attitude. Everything went smoothly, except when Hu Kailan tentatively asked, "What are you good at?" Shen Lian shamelessly replied, "Whatever you need, I'm good at it!"

Hu Kailan: "..."

If I hadn't seen all your files, I would have believed you.

But Shen Lian's recent two performances were very good, especially the cosplay at the comic convention, which was still trending even now.

And the higher-ups had implicitly expressed that they shouldn't be stingy with resources for Shen Lian.

Hu Kailan realized that Shen Lian now had someone backing him.

Hu Kailan was considered one of the top Agents at Star Opening, having managed many big names. The fact that he was assigned to Shen Lian already spoke volumes. Hu Kailan thought for a moment. "Alright then, I'll plan some work arrangements for you. You can pick them out and get started immediately when the time comes."

Shen Lian: "OK."

Hu Kailan was quite satisfied with Shen Lian's humility and cooperation.

Now it was just a matter of biding time. In another week, Shen Lian's contract with Xingtu Entertainment would expire.

Xingtu was still dreaming that Shen Lian would change his mind. After all, there wasn't even a hint of news about him jumping ship. In the eyes of the Xingtu executives, Shen Lian was probably so anxious his hair was turning white, which made them feel all the more certain that they had him cornered.

That wasn't the case at all. Shen Lian bought a bunch of flowers online and filled the balcony on the right side of the living room to the brim. Aunt Fen naturally liked them and helped Shen Lian arrange everything. When Chu Yilan returned home in the evening and just sat down on the sofa, he looked up and saw the changes on the balcony.

"Does it look good?" Shen Lian showed off.

Chu Yilan: "Don't let them die."

"That won't happen. With Aunt Fen and me working together, I guarantee that within a month, a small flower garden will grow there."

Aunt Fen did indeed like plants; she had already prepared all the watering cans, shovels, and fertilizers.

"Do you have plans for tomorrow?" Chu Yilan asked Shen Lian.

"No."

Chu Yilan nodded. "Mm, come with me to a gathering."