Lu Shu Yan was obviously stunned after hearing those words.
It was as if he hadn’t expected such words to come from Si Nian’s mouth.
A flash of surprise and disbelief crossed the man’s eyes, and he instinctively asked, “You… got married?”
Si Nian didn’t understand what kind of reaction Lu Shu Yan was having.
Her eyebrows furrowed in a complicated way, and her emotions were also somewhat mixed.
She questioned suspiciously, “You don’t possibly think that even if I got married, you’d still be sitting at the main table, right?”
What kind of ex-boyfriend had no sense of boundaries like this?
She had only deceived him a little emotionally, and it wasn’t like he had suffered any material losses.
“There’s no need for that.”
Si Nian felt she had already been polite enough and turned around to leave directly.
Lu Shu Yan watched her light and carefree figure as she walked away.
He seemed to pause for a moment, propping one hand on the table in front of him.
Closing his eyes, he felt the emotions surging in his chest again, taking a deep, deep breath.
…
Si Nian’s next important job was for a well-known domestic sports brand.
The brand focused on comfort, health, and sports, and the shoot was for their next season’s new collection.
Si Nian had spent several days in a row wearing down jackets inside a studio with temperatures over twenty degrees.
On top of that, there were high-intensity lighting setups that radiated heat, making her feel like she was about to get heatstroke every time she shot.
Recently, quite a few talent agencies had been reaching out to her.
Not only modeling agencies but also some well-known entertainment companies and talent scouts.
The opportunities they promised were enticing, but the conditions they offered were ridiculously strict. Once she signed, she would have to give up all her current modeling work.
She would have to attend training at the company while being given chances to audition, but there was no guarantee she would land any roles.
Everything depended on her own ability, and she would only receive a monthly housing subsidy of 1,500 yuan.
Si Nian didn’t believe that in today’s entertainment industry, just looking good was enough to make someone famous.
In fact, five years ago, when she was still in school and working as a part-time model, a talent scout had already approached her, wanting to sign her.
At first, the conversation had gone well, but then they suddenly brought up the idea of giving her 200,000 yuan in exchange for a supporting role in a small online drama.
They even explained that even these minor roles were monopolized.
Otherwise, with so many talented and attractive people out there, why would the production team choose her?
The entertainment industry was no longer a playground for people with ordinary backgrounds.
Jiang Yi Han, who often worked with magazine publishers and artists, knew many in the industry.
Almost everyone with a recognizable name had a powerful backer or sponsor.
Even those from slightly lesser backgrounds still came from at least middle-class families or better.
Just the fact that entertainment companies only provided 1,500 yuan in housing subsidies per month in Beijing meant they had already filtered out those without financial support.
If she quit modeling and relied only on that amount, she’d be broke in no time.
Jiang Yi Han also thought Si Nian had made the right choice.
Of course, it wasn’t impossible for someone without connections or sponsors to become famous.
But that required an extraordinary stroke of luck an alignment of the right timing, opportunities, and relationships.
If someone had that kind of luck, they might as well buy a lottery ticket instead of entering the industry.
Si Nian’s schedule was packed with photoshoots every day.
She wanted to earn enough money while she was young so she could retire early and enjoy life.
One night, after another exhausting overnight shoot, she finally finished her work.
Yawning, she stood by the roadside, checking a ride-hailing app on her phone.
The closest driver was five kilometers away and would take ten minutes to arrive.
Just then, she heard a voice: “Did you just finish work too?”
Si Nian looked up and saw a familiar face.
Yuan Yu was carrying a bag, dressed in all black, walking toward her from the other side of the studio.
Si Nian realized that he had probably also been shooting nearby, most likely in a different studio.
“Yeah.” She nodded.
Yuan Yu stood beside her and glanced at his watch.
Si Nian put her phone in her bag, waiting for the car to arrive.
Yuan Yu suddenly said, “Oh, right.
I should apologize to you.
Last time, I forgot to take off my ring.”
Si Nian replied, “It’s fine.”
That misunderstanding had already been cleared up.
She sometimes forgot to remove accessories during shoots as well, especially the expensive ones, which had to be returned to the brand later.
It wasn’t a big deal.
Yuan Yu hesitated before continuing, “And also, I want to thank you.”
Si Nian turned to look at him.
“Thank me for what?”
Yuan Yu scratched his head.
“That little mix-up on the subway last time ended up going viral.
And because of that, my recent campaign photos got a lot of attention, and now I’m getting more job offers.”
“Oh.”
So it was about that.
Si Nian smiled. “It’s nothing.”
“No need to thank me.”
After all, they were both just making money.
It hadn’t done her any harm.
Yuan Yu glanced at the street ahead.
“Is it safe for you to take a taxi this late?”
Si Nian sniffled and said, “I always send my friend the car’s license plate number before getting in, and I text her when I arrive home.
It’s fine.”
“How about you? How are you getting home?” She asked casually while waiting for her ride.
Yuan Yu replied, “I’m riding my bike.
The roads are empty at night, so I can get back to campus quickly.”
Si Nian recalled that his university wasn’t too far from here.
Her ride arrived.
After a quick “see you later,” she got in the car and went home.
As soon as she arrived, she received a message from Yuan Yu, asking if she had gotten home safely.
Si Nian hesitated for a moment before replying: [I’m home, thanks.]
A few messages followed.
Daily casual chats. Occasional work-related questions.
Si Nian replied sometimes but mostly didn’t.
She wasn’t slow to notice things.
After all, back then, she had sent Lu Shu Yan messages every day for five years.
But compared to her ex, Yuan Yu was much more expressive.
Lu Shu Yan, on the other hand, had always been so distant like he was approving government documents instead of texting back.
Then, one day, Yuan Yu asked if she wanted to go see a movie that weekend.
Jiang Yi Han happened to glance at her phone.
Si Nian didn’t hide it, holding up her phone.
“Look.”
“I think I’ll pass.”
She rested her chin on her hand while Jiang Yi Han skimmed through the chat.
“It feels a bit weird.”
“Weird, my ass!”
Jiang Yi Han handed the phone back.
“You finally got off Lu Shu Yan’s five-year, soul-draining shift. Don’t you want to date a cute younger guy for a change?”
Si Nian: “…”
Jiang Yi Han continued, “It’s just a movie.
It’s not like you’re committing to a relationship.
It’s just a date.
If it doesn’t work out, no big deal.”
“And even if it does, you’re only dating him.
What, do you think you have to marry him or something?”
Si Nian: “…”
That made sense.
Jiang Yi Han smirked.
“If you don’t want him, give him to me.”
“I’m bored anyway and could use some entertainment.”
Si Nian clicked her tongue, rubbing her temples.
“Fine, I’ll go watch the movie.”