Pats Little Shrike's Tail - Chapter 74

Chapter 74

As the New Year’s Day approached, Song Qinglan’s studio was planning an exclusive interview to prepare for Song Qinglan’s ascent to the super A-list.

Song Qinglan, who hadn’t seen Fang Ran for several days, felt a pang of guilt.

On Christmas Day, she had originally intended to send Fang Ran a message in the car saying she had a sudden commitment and couldn’t go to Happy Valley, suggesting Fang Ran go by herself.

But once she got in the car, Song Qinglan started contacting various people in her circles. Her energy at the time was entirely focused on how to deal with the actress named Yang, and she completely forgot to message Fang Ran.

The result of the cocktail party was favorable. Song Qinglan believed that soon, the actress surnamed Yang’s negative news would fly everywhere. Who told her to be snide towards me at the party, suggesting that I only got the endorsement opportunities because of the success of my new drama?

She even suggested that once Song Qinglan passed 30 and lost her looks, all those endorsements would belong to her.

Song Qinglan naturally couldn’t tolerate this and staged a little drama.

Although the cocktail party didn’t take much effort from Song Qinglan, and she even enjoyed a peaceful sleep that night, she only realized the next morning that she had forgotten to text Fang Ran. And Fang Ran hadn’t called her either.

Song Qinglan felt a little guilty. Later, when Driver Zhang picked her up and mentioned a few things, Song Qinglan was relieved. It seemed Fang Ran knew what she was busy with.

But despite knowing, Song Qinglan still felt very awkward seeing her friend of ten years.

At the very least, she didn’t understand why Fang Ran hadn’t called her directly.

“Ranran,” Song Qinglan sat at her desk, pretending to read a fashion magazine, and asked Fang Ran: “Do I have an exclusive interview this afternoon?”

“Yes, you do,” Fang Ran looked at the schedule and told Song Qinglan: “After 2 PM, the editor-in-chief of the fashion magazine will come for an exclusive interview. The questions have already been discussed in advance. You just need to follow the script, and finally, take a few photos.”

Song Qinglan hummed. She didn’t doubt Fang Ran’s words. After a thought, she said: “Since it’s already been pre-arranged, I don’t need to worry about anything. Just let them leave after they take the photos. I’m a bit tired today.”

Fang Ran glanced at her, sighed silently in her heart, and accepted her fate: “Okay, I’ll contact them in advance to let them know they should just take a few photos and leave. I’ll review the final draft before it goes to print.”

Song Qinglan then stood up and asked: “How does the outfit I’m wearing today look? Can I take photos in this?”

Fang Ran briefly looked her over and said: “It should be fine. I’ll have the stylist come over to take a look later. I’ll contact the magazine now.”

“Wait!” Song Qinglan quickly stopped her and said: “I don’t want to be interviewed in the office. Let’s find a place outside. Somewhere with a nice environment.”

“Is outside appropriate?”

“I want to go outside today.”

Fang Ran slightly frowned. Why was Song Qinglan so capricious? Finding a location outside would cause a lot of trouble for everyone. But ultimately, she didn’t say anything, just nodded: “I understand.”

Seeing that Song Qinglan was still blocking her, Fang Ran finally sighed softly and asked: “Is there anything else?”

“Ranran…”

Song Qinglan closed her eyes and started to act spoiled. She walked over and hugged Fang Ran, clasping her waist to prevent her from leaving.

“You’re not mad that I didn’t call you on Christmas Day, are you?” Song Qinglan whined while hugging Fang Ran: “Driver Zhang told me you called him, so I completely forgot about the matter. I really meant to tell you that day.”

Tell me what?

Tell me that Song Qinglan prioritized arguing with another actress over going to Happy Valley with me?

Fang Ran was held in her arms but felt particularly heavy-hearted.

She knew she wasn’t as important as Song Qinglan’s career, and she had never delusionally expected Song Qinglan to give anything up for her.

But knowing it was one thing, and admitting it was another.

After all, no one wants to admit that they are worthless or even insignificant in the other person’s eyes.

“It’s okay,” Fang Ran said softly: “I know what happened. I won’t stop you from doing what you want, because you are the boss.”

“Ranran, you really are mad, aren’t you?” Song Qinglan sighed, pulled her aside, and sat down, clasping her hands: “I apologize. I was wrong. If this happens again, I promise I will call you immediately.”

Song Qinglan added: “As compensation, let’s go traveling this Spring Festival. Besides your regular annual bonus, I’ll secretly give you a large extra bonus. How does that sound?”

Fang Ran felt somewhat powerless. Sometimes, she truly couldn’t get angry with Song Qinglan, because the other woman consistently felt she could be bought with money.

“It’s such a small thing; you don’t need to compensate me specially,” Fang Ran was reluctant to let go of Song Qinglan’s hand. She could only use this kind of unconscious physical contact to console her feelings. So, she held the other’s hand as if they were casually chatting and said: “Just give me a few extra days off. After this busy period, it will be Spring Festival, and I want to go back to my hometown to see my family.”

“Sure, no problem at all,” Song Qinglan said happily, but then she frowned, looking troubled: “But what will I do without you?”

Before Fang Ran could speak, Song Qinglan said: “Since your uncle and aunt haven’t visited here much, why don’t we invite them to stay here another day? They can stay at your place. That villa is so big, and there are many rooms. Your brother and sister-in-law can also come.”

The more Song Qinglan thought about it, the better she felt about her idea. She let go of Fang Ran’s hand and took out her phone, saying: “I’ll call your uncle and aunt later and ask if they’d like to spend the New Year here. Then we can invite your family over and have a good time. This way, you don’t have to leave me, and you can be with your family. What do you think?”

Although she asked Fang Ran, Song Qinglan had already dialed the number, labeled as [Fang Ran Dad].

Soon, a familiar voice came through the phone. Song Qinglan briefly explained her idea. She and Fang Ran were high school classmates and often spent time together in college. They were very familiar with each other’s parents, so it wasn’t an exaggeration to say they grew up together.

Fang Ran’s family was very happy to hear the news. Plus, Song Qinglan was a big celebrity who appeared on TV every day. Fang Ran’s family was naturally very willing to come to the city.

“Great, then it’s decided,” Song Qinglan was happy and told Fang Ran’s parents on the phone: “Uncle and Aunt, let’s set a time, and I’ll send the driver to pick you up. We’ll celebrate the New Year together then.”

After chatting briefly, she hung up the phone. Song Qinglan looked at Fang Ran’s expression, leaned in, and asked: “What’s wrong? You’re not happy that I invited your parents and brother’s family here?”

“No,” Fang Ran shook her head. The real reason she wanted time off was to distance herself from Song Qinglan.

To see, but not to possess.

That feeling was too cruel.

Especially after Fang Ran reread the love letter she wrote in her youth, she felt even more pathetic.

She didn’t even have the courage to confess.

“Since you’ve decided, let’s go with that,” Fang Ran lowered her eyes and told Song Qinglan: “I’ll go check the nearby area for a suitable place for the interview and photo shoot. I won’t be back for lunch. I’ll have another assistant order you a light meal. Remember to eat well.”

Song Qinglan nodded and watched her leave the office.

After she left, Song Qinglan stretched and breathed a huge sigh of relief.

Thank goodness Fang Ran is easy to placate.

Song Qinglan felt that Fang Ran truly had a great temper. No matter how she treated her over the past ten years, she never complained. She took care of her daily needs, managed the studio’s work, and even helped clean up her messes.

Fang Ran’s entire attention was focused on her, and this had never changed over the years.

This made Song Qinglan feel very comfortable. With an assistant who took care of her work and life, what more could she be dissatisfied with?

Although Fang Ran had rejected Song Qinglan’s offer of a bonus, she could give the money to Fang Ran’s parents instead.

Song Qinglan thought this was a great idea. She was very sincere towards her friends and not stingy at all.

Fang Ran, who had left the office, returned to her desk and started packing her things. She didn’t forget to remind the new junior assistant to order a light meal for Song Qinglan.

“Be sure to order these specific items. And pay attention to the salad: replace the salad dressing with vinaigrette, no purple sweet potatoes, and substitute the crown daisy leaves with lettuce. When it arrives, remember to remove the egg yolk. This step is absolutely mandatory, got it?”

She carefully instructed the junior assistant, afraid she would make a mistake and get scolded like she did with the coffee last time.

The older colleague nearby glanced at the two of them, sighed, and quietly said: “Fang Ran, you don’t have it easy.”

Fang Ran forced a wry smile: “It’s all for work.”

She then picked up her bag, checked her phone battery, and decided not to bring a charger.

“Are you going out?” A colleague asked: “Don’t you have an interview this afternoon? Aren’t you going to be here?”

“Qinglan doesn’t want to take the interview photos in the studio this afternoon,” Fang Ran picked up her shoulder bag and said: “I’m going to look around for a quiet and suitable interview location. I won’t be back for lunch.”

The colleagues all lamented: “You really don’t have it easy.”

There are many ways in which I don’t have it easy.

Fang Ran sighed, and asked symbolically: “Does anyone have a place to recommend?”

“I do,” one of the newer staff members raised the coffee cup in her hand and told Fang Ran: “You know Central Park on the back street, right? There’s a coffee shop in the park. Their coffee is exceptionally good, but a bit expensive.”

“I know, I know,” the person next to her agreed: “The cheapest coffee there is 180, right? They had a buy-one-get-one-free promotion a few days ago. Xiao Gua and I split a cup, and it was really delicious, much better than regular coffee.”

“Exactly, exactly. Too bad the promotion only lasted two days. The environment there is also very good.”

“Yes, Fang Ran, you can go check it out. It’s not far from us, so it’s convenient to go back and forth.”

Fang Ran considered this, then nodded: “I see. I’ll go take a look.”

Carrying her bag, Fang Ran went downstairs and checked the location sent by her colleague. The coffee shop was indeed quite close, just across a street.

I wonder if that coffee shop is suitable for an interview.

Fang Ran walked against the wind with her bag. Whether it was suitable or not, she had to see it before making a decision.

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