16 Birthday

(Thank the heavens that they finally get to have their meal)

After Universe posted this notice, the internet exploded in an uproar. Some netizens came to say that as an official account, they shouldn’t be cursing. Others came to applaud the editor.

Almost immediately following the notice, the article regarding the ‘seemingly intimate’ relationship between Pei Ying and Song Nanchuan was taken down.

The tides changed quickly, and the one could only keep up with the events if they constantly refreshed their pages.

Pei Ying also sat in front of her computer, watching things unfold. She sighed at how efficient Universe Pictures was, but at the same time, she was thinking about the editor who ran their page… What a temperament!

But the harassing comments didn’t stop or disappear. Instead, when the netizens saw the official statement taking her side, they all jumped out to say, “Look! Universe Pictures is speaking out for her. The original report was also removed. Such quick damage control. Doesn’t that mean that Song Nanchuan is protecting her?!”

Another netizen responded, “How strange. Even if Song Nanchuan were protecting her, so what? If she can have anti-fans like you, then why can’t someone protect her? Ah ah, if CEO Song wants to pamper her, what’s it to you? (smile)”

Pei Ying, “…”

She was even being teased by the commenters…

But anti-fans that bit at you and didn’t let go wouldn’t listen no matter what you said. So Pei Ying didn’t say anything. She re-blogged the message that Universe Studios posted and then exited her Weibo.

After watching the bloodstorm develop online, Chen Sheng gave a call to Pei Ying, worried about how she was taking it. Pei Ying was playing a game at the time. When she saw that Chen Sheng was calling, she quit her game and answered. “GM Chen, is something the matter?”

“Nothing much. Just checking on how you’re doing.”

“Oh, I’m fine. Thank you for your concern.”

“That’s good then.” Chen Sheng knew that she was generally a calm person. “Don’t mind what’s happening online too much. If you look at it another way, doesn’t it mean that you’re really famous now? I’ll help you look out for some good drama scripts. If there’s anything suitable, we’ll try to get it.”

When she heard Chen Sheng say this, Pei Ying felt that this whole situation was really quite a blessing in disguise. “Then, thank you, GM Chen.”

“Mm, don’t delay with the shoots for the advertisement.”

“I got it. Don’t worry, GM Chen.”

“Alright then. I’m hanging up.”

After her call with Chen Sheng, Pei Ying opened her game and continued picking out clothes.

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The next day, April 1st, was April Fool’s Day and also Pei Ying’s 23rd birthday.

Luckily, she didn’t have any work scheduled for that day. Around noon, she was called over to Ren Shanshan’s studio, and they celebrated together. Ren Shanshan had ordered a large cake and even tidied up the studio.

Pei Ying was extremely touched. Thankfully, she’d had Ren Shanshan by her side all these years, so she hadn’t been so lonely.

The two staffers at the studio were especially happy that day as well. Not only did they get to eat tasty food, they were also able to slack off without punishment. They wished that every day could have been Pei Ying’s birthday.

“Happy birthday!” Ren Shanshan stuck candles into the cake and glanced over to Pei Ying. “Hurry and make a wish. Something sexy would be good.”

Pei Ying, “…”

What did she mean, ‘something sexy’?!

Ren Shanshan’s old driver personality was coming out again. “What age are we in now? And yet, the only ones interested in you are mosquitoes, and the only ones who give you bags are mosquitoes. Shouldn’t you go wish for a sexy dream to come true?” (Note: the term used for bags/purses can also be used in reference to bumps or, in this case, bug bites)

“…I’m not that thirsty, okay?” Pei Ying was unable to counter her ridicule.

Ren Shanshan rolled her eyes with disdain. “Although, I guess there is someone interested in you.”

Pei Ying’s face immediately turned red. She stopped paying attention to Ren Shanshan. She made a wish and blew out the candles. I wish that I’ll have success in love this year.

Ren Shanshan started asking, “What did you wish for? Why are you looking so coquettish?”

“…Look in the mirror, won’t you. Then you’ll know what it means to look coquettish.”

Ren Shanshan harrumphed and then handed over a small, beautifully wrapped box. “Here, take it. I bought you a birthday present.”

“Thank you!” Although she was currently giving Ren Shanshan the cold shoulder, she wouldn’t turn away her present. She impatiently unwrapped the gift and was a bit surprised. “Lip stain.”

“Mm, I picked it out specially for you.” Ren Shanshan’s smile was a bit scary. “Do you know what another name for lip stain is? Men. Luring. Color.”

Pei Ying, “…”

Ren Shanshan nudged Pei Ying with her elbow. “You’re having dinner with Song Nanchuan tonight, right? Put this on, and I promise that he’ll take you.”

At her ambiguous words and tone, a pink color started to climb up Pei Ying’s cheeks again. “Are you crazy? We’re just having a meal together!”

“Ohhhh…” Ren Shanshan dragged out and then looked over Pei Ying. “Don’t tell me you don’t want it. Someone obsessed with appearances isn’t so moral.”

Pei Ying, “…”

“Haven’t you seen all the posts online saying you two have slept together? Why not go ahead and sleep with him? Then those people won’t just be posting empty words for naught.” Then she suddenly pat Pei Ying’s shoulders and sang out enthusiastically, “Girl, walk on forward with some guts!” (Note: This song is from the 1987 film, Red Sorghum)

Pei Ying, “…”

She really, really wanted to cover Ren Shanshan’s face with that cake on the table.

Because she’d agreed to meet Song Nanchuan at 6, Pei Ying hung out at the studio until 2 before hurrying home.

She had to shower again, change her clothes, and re-apply her makeup.

When she was doing her lips, she hesitated for a moment. Then she picked up the lip stain that Ren Shanshan gave her.

Did it really lure men in?

…What was she thinking?! How could she be thinking the same things as Ren Shanshan! This was just an ordinary tube of lip stain.

After Pei Ying comforted herself, she carefully applied the lip stain. She looked at the color in the mirror and it really made her lips look plump and captivating. They were soft and pink, and you just couldn’t wait to take a bite.

Oh, looks like it lived up to its name as ‘men-luring.’

…No!

Pei Ying felt her soul being tortured.

By the time she finished getting ready, it was nearly 6. At 5:50, Song Nanchuan gave her a call and said that he was already downstairs.

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Pei Ying took another look in her full-length mirror, making sure that her hair, dress, and makeup were all okay. Then she picked up her purse and headed downstairs. The cats she often fed suddenly appeared from somewhere. They didn’t approach her for food, but instead meowed from afar, as if giving their greetings.

Pei Ying translated their meows to “Happy birthday.” She smiled and waved at them. “Thank you. I’ll work hard.”

She walked off merrily, along the flower petal-covered ground.

Song Nanchuan was the same as the last time. He stood outside the car, waiting for her. When he saw Pei Ying, his lips couldn’t help lifting up. “Good afternoon.”

“Good afternoon,” Pei Ying greeted with a smile.

Song Nanchuan turned and opened the door for her, letting her get inside. After the car set off, Pei Ying asked, “Where are we having dinner tonight?”

“Twilight,” Song Nanchuan replied with the name of a restaurant.

It was a very famous restaurant in A City, so Pei Ying had already heard of it. Though she’d never had the chance to go. She’d heard it was one of the most high-end restaurants under the Yu family (?). Located on the 25th floor of the Huaxing Building, guests could also enjoy a view of the sea.

This time, there wasn’t anyone tailing their car, so they arrived at the Huaxing Building without trouble. Pei Ying followed Song Nanchuan onto the elevator that took them to the 25th floor. When the elevator doors opened, a waiter bowed and greeted them.

The tall and handsome waiter was especially eye-catching. After confirming the reservation with Song Nanchuan, he led them to the banquet hall.

The decor inside was gorgeous, and a very sentimental French song was playing in the background. All the guests at the tables they passed were smiling and chatting amongst themselves.

When they arrived in front of a large French window, the waiter stopped. Song Nanchuan pulled out Pei Ying’s chair for her and invited her to sit down. Then he walked over to his seat across from her.

The view from their seats was magnificent. Below was a rippling blue-green sea. On the bund, there were people taking a walk with the see breeze, their thin clothes blown about by the wind.

The waiter handed a menu to Pei Ying, and at his recommendation, she ordered that evening’s special. Song Nanchuan ordered the same as well as a bottle of red wine. After the waiter left, he smiled at Pei Ying and asked, “Do you like it here?”

“I do. The scenery here is really nice.”

Song Nanchuan said, “Not only is the view here nice, the food’s even better. Make sure to try it out.”

“Mm! Although I haven’t been to all the Yu family restaurants, all the ones I’ve been to have been amazing!”

Song Nanchuan laughed. “I’ll be sure to take you often then.”

As to be expected, Pei Ying blushed at his words. Before she had time to recover, Song Nanchuan added, “Fine food must be shared with the person you like for it to become even more delicious.”

……

Was he… saying that she was the person he liked? This confession caught Pei Ying off guard.

Her heart started beating extremely quickly. As she was sitting in her seat, unsettled, the waiter brought over the red wine. She hurried to have a sip to calm her nerves.

In order to get rid of her awkward and shy feelings, and to make herself appear more natural, Pei Ying started a conversation with Song Nanchuan. “My birthday’s on April 1st, right? In school, when I used to tell my classmates that today was my birthday, they would all respond ‘Happy April Fool’s.’”

Song Nanchuan gave a low laugh. “You must have been well liked in school, right? Weren’t there any boys who pursued you?”

“Oh…” She lowered her eyes and thought about it. Then she looked back up at Song Nanchuan and said, “There were, but they weren’t that good looking.”

“Pfft.” Song Nanchuan had been taking a sip of red wine when he couldn’t help laughing.

Pei Ying added, “And I’m pretty tall, so a lot of the boys were shorter than me.”

“Indeed.” Song Nanchuan continued to laugh.

“So then, when a tall and handsome school senior confessed to me, I accepted him. But then, not even two days later, I found out that, besides me, that senior had another two girlfriends!” At this point, Pei Ying felt a bit indignant. “Do you know what the most annoying thing was though? When I went to talk to him about it, he calmly admitted that yeah, he had other girlfriends. Then he asked me matter of factly, ‘Surely, you have other boyfriends besides me?’”

Venting her anger, Pei Ying took another drink from her glass. “I was really sad back then. I wondered if all the guys in the world were like that. After that, I didn’t date again.”

Actually, as she thought about it again now, things had fizzled out in just two days back then. Then that didn’t really count as dating, did it?

Song Nanchuan looked at her from across the table. The warm, yellow light reflected off his lustrous, dark eyes. “There are also men in this world who only love one person for their entire life.”