Yuncheng, Huaguo.
Mid-July, scorching summer. The fierce sun baked the earth; the water in the river felt scalding to the touch, and the soil in the fields seemed to steam.
Meanwhile, at the Shen Family Villa, Shen Xingling had just woken up. With her hair a mess like a bird's nest, she stretched lazily, then shouted aloud, "Mom, what time is it?"
Mother Shen's given name was Xia Lan. She had grown up in a wealthy and happy family.
Hearing this from downstairs, Mother Shen replied with a helpless laugh, "You still have the nerve to ask what time it is? It's almost noon. Did you stay up late playing games again last night?" Hearing her own mother's certain tone, Shen Xingling simply let it pass without a denial.
After washing up, Shen Xingling hurried downstairs. Sitting down beside her mother, she hugged her arm and coaxed her playfully, "Oh! My dearest mom, I'm a modern college student now! How can I not keep up with the lifestyle of a modern college student? Am I right? Or do you want me to live like a grumpy old man? Besides, I just started my break; of course I shouldn't waste my life or my time!"
Xia Lan retorted unceremoniously, "Right, you're a college student. Your way of not wasting life and time is hiding under the covers from morning till night, either staying up late playing games or sleeping during the day. Seeing how terrible you are at gaming, I'm almost too embarrassed to lecture you. In my opinion, you'd fit right in living in M country—you wouldn't even need to adjust for jet lag."
Hearing Ms. Xia Lan say her gaming skills were terrible, Shen Xingling couldn't hold back anymore. *She actually said I play terribly, just because I've been stuck at the Bronze rank for a whole month? Hump!*
Realizing she couldn't out-argue her own mother—who was undeniably a biological mother, through and through—Shen Xingling turned to Shen Qingwen, who was sitting nearby reading the newspaper, and yelled, "Dad, do something about your wife! She actually said I'm bad at video games!"
Father Shen smiled and said, "I'm sure your mother isn't wrong!"
Hearing that, Shen Xingling thought: *Well, alright. As expected, Mom and Dad are true love, and I'm just an accident. Oh wait, my brother is an accident too. Oh well, whatever. It's just a game, cut! There's nothing this young lady can't handle!*
"Dad, Mom, I won't be eating lunch at home today. I'm going to the airport later to pick up Xinyue. We're going to eat out, and I might be back a bit late tonight."
An hour later, at the airport.
"Xinyue, Xinyue, we will always support you!"
"Xinyue, Xinyue, better and better, leading the way with joy!"
"Nongfu Spring is a bit sweet, not loving Xinyue is a bit precarious!"
...
"Clouds think of clothes and flowers think of looks, naturally beautiful Han Xinyue!"
Walking toward the VIP arrival channel, Shen Xingling heard fans shouting her best friend's name and knew their big celebrity was almost here.
Pulling out her phone, she opened WeChat and went to her chat with Han Xinyue.
Xingling: [Baby, waiting for you at the VIP channel!]
Xinyue: [OK, wait for your big sister! Sister's got a great treat for you this time!]
Han Xinyue smiled and said to her assistant, He Xi, "Tell the little treasures not to wait anymore; it's too hot outside. Go buy some iced drinks and give them out. Charge the drinks to me; I need to go find my big baby first!"
Spotting her precious friend in the VIP channel, Han Xinyue rushed straight over and gave her a loving hug. "Baby, I've missed you to death."
The person holding Shen Xingling was her best friend, Han Xinyue.
Even though this woman was completely bundled up, just from her figure and outfit, she was a rare and stunning beauty!
Han Xinyue was the apple of the Han Residence's eye. Despite her young age, relying on her superb malleability for characters, she had spent the past three years since turning eighteen sweeping up countless domestic and international awards, becoming the youngest Best Actress.
Wasn't this the classic example of an accomplished actor who clearly could rely on her looks, yet stubbornly chose to rely on her talent?
"Big star, are you planning to jump straight back into filming or take a proper break of a month or two this time?" Shen Xingling teased.
"Of course I have to listen to President Shen's arrangements!" Han Xinyue said with a smile.
"It's up to you. Rest if you want to rest, keep filming if you want to keep filming," Shen Xingling replied nonchalantly.
Still, she secretly hoped her best friend would take a break. Being driven wasn't a bad thing, but her best friend was just too career-oriented; she simply loved acting, saying it allowed her to experience different lives.
The next second, she heard Han Xinyue say, "Then I'll rest!" After all, President Shen herself had spoken. This must be the confidence of having your best friend as your boss!
Even though their President Shen was still a student, that didn't stop her from running a side business.
And she had her best friend's brother, Shen Mingxuan, to thank for that side business. Chenxing Entertainment had been a twentieth-birthday gift from Shen Mingxuan to Shen Xingling. Otherwise, she wouldn't have transferred to the company her best friend owned.
"Let's go eat at Nanyueju then! I haven't had their food in ages. Let's call Wanwan to join us," said Han Xinyue.
"No need to call Wanwan. I asked her before I came here; she has two surgeries today and is quite busy."
Han Xinyue didn't press the matter, knowing that the three of them had far less time to get together now than before. In the past, the three of them were inseparable every single day.
"Let's go, don't be upset! We'll ask Wanwan if she's busy next weekend and get together then. Come on, big sister's got a surprise for you!" Shen Xingling coaxed her best friend.
Emerging from the VIP channel, the two of them walked together to where Shen Xingling had parked her car. Once inside, Shen Xingling reached into her bag, pulled out a brown paper envelope, and handed it to Han Xinyue.
"Darling, open it and see."
"Xinyue, is this for me?" Han Xinyue asked, pleased yet somewhat puzzled.
"Your birthday gift! Isn't your birthday coming up soon? This is an early gift. Seeing how much you love Nanyueju's food, I just bought it directly. Don't be too touched, okay?" Shen Xingling said with a hint of childish pride.
"I love you to death! Thank you, my little fairy, muah!" Han Xinyue leaned over, hugged Shen Xingling, and kissed her on the cheek. She then gave Shen Xingling the gift she had brought back. Opening it, Shen Xingling found a silver star-and-moon bracelet, with her initials, sxl, engraved on the charm. Han Xinyue had custom-made three of them; the other two were engraved with her own initials and Jun Wanwan's.
After dinner, Shen Xingling drove Han Xinyue back to the Han Residence before returning to the Shen family home.
As soon as she stepped through the front door, Shen Xingling heard Ms. Xia Lan speaking with a worried expression: "Honey, our Xing-er just turned twenty-one. Can she really have a good life if she marries over there like this? They don't even have a foundation of affection, and marriage is a major event for a lifetime. Did they really just set up an arranged marriage because of a casual remark Grandpa made to Old Master Mu back then? At the time, I just took it lightly, thinking it was a joke between Grandpa and Old Master Mu—I never thought they were actually serious! Besides, there's still quite an age gap between our Xing-er and Mu Tingshen."