When the Heartthrob Meets the Cold-Hearted Ex - Chapter 29

Good Taste Private Kitchen

An Xin spun her plate idly, her face lighting up with teasing amusement when she spotted someone approaching in the distance.

“President Xu, you’re truly a busy person these days. It’s not easy to get you out for a meal anymore.”

Xu You pulled out a chair and sat down, grievances pouring out endlessly.

“I don’t want to be this busy either, but our boss your old classmate has been acting like she’s possessed lately, dragging the entire company into this relentless grind.

“Just after the spring event for Shining Candy wrapped up, she’s already started planning a martial arts-themed event. Not a moment’s rest for anyone.

“Of course, I know that with Qianhe gaining momentum recently, she’s doing all this for the company’s sake. But she’s pushing herself way too hard.

“Before, even if we worked overtime, it was just delaying dinner a bit. This time? She’s practically welded herself to the office.

“She hasn’t forced me to stay late, but when your boss and business partner is going all out, how can I slack off?”

Seeing Xu You’s genuine misery, An Xin recalled, “Su Yang come to think of it, I haven’t seen her cosplaying as a pet blogger on WeChat Moments lately.”

Xu You couldn’t help but scoff. “With her almost losing her girlfriend, how could she be in the mood to post about cats?”

“You know about it too?”

“I didn’t at first, but Boss Su’s been acting so strange lately that I went to probe, no, I mean, check in on her. Su Yang said she got dumped by the same person twice.”

When Xu You said “dumped twice,” she nearly laughed but held it back. A few seconds later, she sighed. “So, since you’ve known them longer, do you know what really happened?”

An Xin held her teacup, sighing.

“I wasn’t around when they broke up back then. I only heard later from Tangtang that during their honeymoon phase, Su Yang secretly planned to go abroad without telling her.

“Studying abroad itself isn’t the issue. Tangtang was upset that Su Yang didn’t discuss such a big decision with her didn’t even say a word when asked.

“That feeling of being deceived and ignored by someone you’re close to, no one would take it well. But I’ve always believed Su Yang wouldn’t truly not care about Tangtang. There might’ve been some misunderstanding.”

Xu You pondered this. “Given Su Yang’s reticent personality, it’s possible she wouldn’t bring things up on her own.

“But to say she deliberately deceived Tangtang or didn’t care? I don’t buy it. You haven’t seen how different she is before and after meeting Tangtang. Seriously, she’s obsessed!”

An Xin shook her head. “That’s the thing with relationships, those involved are blind, while outsiders see clearly. We can all tell there’s still something between them, but the parties themselves keep doubting.

“Honestly, we’re only seeing fragments here. In the end, the two of them need to grow a mouth and talk it out face-to-face.”

“If Su Yang grew a mouth, she wouldn’t be Su Yang anymore.” Xu You rubbed her temples at the thought of her boss’s recent erratic behavior.

“One Su Yang being tight-lipped is bad enough, but now Tangtang’s gone quiet too. Really, birds of a feather flock together.

“What if we set them up, get them drunk, and let them spill the truth? Would that work?”

Xu You had tossed out the idea casually, but An Xin took it seriously.

“Don’t say that, this most old-fashioned method might actually work. It’s just a shame there haven’t been any opportunities lately. Candy is about to go on a business trip to City Y soon.”

“To City Y?”

“Yes, she’s going there to interview Meilin, the inheritor of Emei martial arts, for a feature story. She leaves in three days. Coincidentally, one of our company’s clients is also in City Y, so I’ll be going with her.” An Xin checked her phone schedule and nodded in confirmation.

“Is that Meilin you mentioned the same one who’s been trending online recently? The inheritor of intangible cultural heritage in martial arts?” Xu You recalled seeing the hot search topic and specifically opened Weibo to double-check.

“That’s her. Why are you making that face?” An Xin looked at Xu You’s increasingly strange smile and almost got goosebumps.

“Who says there’s no opportunity? The opportunity has come to us. Don’t you think someone with such prestige and real skills would be perfect for Shining Candy’s next Martial Arts Theme Collaboration?”

In the office of Chizuru’s chief producer

Su Yang looked at the collaboration proposal Xu You had submitted and nodded in satisfaction.

“Having martial arts champions and inheritors of intangible cultural heritage for a martial arts theme is indeed a great idea.

“It can both expand the influence of Chinese martial arts and let our players feel our sincerity, showing them that Shining Candy truly has substance.

“But speaking of which, when did you start moonlighting as a planner?”

Seeing Su Yang’s approval, Xu You felt secretly pleased but sighed on the surface. “Ah, I’m just a brick at Chizuru, moved wherever I’m needed.

“Now that you’re satisfied with this plan, I’ll need your full support.”

Su Yang noticed Xu You’s eyes flicker and knew she was up to something. “No problem, just tell me how much budget you need.”

Seeing the fish beginning to bite, Xu You pretended to ponder. “The budget isn’t the most critical issue, you can decide that. But…”

“Spit it out.”

Noticing Su Yang’s growing wariness, Xu You quickly delivered her prepared lines.

“Well, I’ve heard that Meilin is quite aloof. Other companies have tried to collaborate with her before, and she turned them all down.”

“So?” A sense of foreboding crept into Su Yang’s mind.

“So I think this matter can only be settled if Boss Su personally steps in.

“Don’t rush to refuse, hear me out. We’re in the gaming industry, and they’re in martial arts. The gap is huge.

“Many people from other circles still have biases against gaming. This isn’t something just anyone can seal the deal on.

“But Boss Su, you’re different. You’re talented, ambitious, and have a deep passion for Chinese culture.

“Most importantly didn’t you train at Emei before? In a way, Meilin could be considered your senior martial sister. Isn’t that fate?”

Su Yang wasn’t about to accept all these flattering words so easily. “If we can’t even secure a collaboration, what’s the point of having a business department?

“Besides, when I trained at Emei over a decade ago, Meilin hadn’t even joined yet. How could she be my senior sister?”

Xu You didn’t expect Su Yang to be so stubborn and even nitpick the details. She sighed helplessly.

“Fine, you joined first, so you’re the senior sister. Happy now? As the senior sister, isn’t it natural to ask your junior sister for help? Why make the business department go through all the trouble?”

“Besides, I’ve heard Meilin has been quite popular lately. Even Yifeng magazine is doing a feature on her. Aren’t you afraid of missing out?”

Xu You spoke while carefully observing Su Yang’s expression, deliberately emphasizing the words “Yifeng” and “missing out.”

Su Yang listened as the person in front of her delivered the sentence with exaggerated inflection. She lowered her head indifferently to review the proposal, feigning busyness.

Three seconds later, she gave a faint nod. “Fine. To be safe, I’ll go in person.”

Seeing her boss’s cold expression, Xu You smirked inwardly: See? I told you, she’s totally into her.

Martial Arts Club, City Y

“Teacher Mei, thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule for this interview. I promise the coverage won’t disappoint.” Tang Yeran stood up, gathering her materials while extending a hand toward Meilin.

Meilin also rose, shaking hands politely. “I trust Editor Tang’s professionalism. I’ve always been a loyal reader of Yifeng.”

The two chatted casually as they walked to the club’s lobby, only to suddenly spot a familiar face.

Running into an old acquaintance in a foreign place yet only Tang Yeran was surprised.

Su Yang barely glanced at Tang Yeran before stepping forward to speak to the person beside her: Meilin.

“Teacher Mei, regarding the collaboration proposal I discussed with your agent earlier, I’ve brought a detailed plan this time.”

Seeing that the other party still had business to discuss, Tang Yeran bid Meilin farewell.

After saying goodbye to Tang Yeran, Meilin turned to Su Yang. “I appreciate President Su making the trip personally, but I’m not familiar with the gaming industry and prefer not to venture into unfamiliar territory. My apologies.”

Rejected, Su Yang remained unfazed. “No problem. Even if we don’t collaborate, the goodwill remains. Feel free to review the proposal when you have time. Goodbye.”

Meilin stared at Su Yang’s retreating figure, stunned. That’s it? She came all this way and didn’t even try to persuade me further?

Lately, with her rising popularity, Meilin had perfected a whole script for turning down all sorts of random offers. Yet this time, she hadn’t even gotten past the first line.

Tang Yeran left the club and was about to hail a cab across the street when someone abruptly appeared beside her.

Su Yang, who had been holding a proposal just two minutes ago, now had empty hands.

Did the deal fall through?

I’ve never seen a negotiation end that fast.

Tang Yerean mentally scoffed but kept her expression neutral.

Two weeks ago, she and Su Yang might have still been considered old friends reuniting after years apart.

But after that absurd incident, she could no longer deceive herself.

The two of them had never been just simple acquaintances or friends. Strangers suited them best.

Tang Yeran was determined to keep her distance, yet Su Yang seemed utterly oblivious, even initiating conversation.

“What a coincidence, you’re here on business too?”

Such a casual, familiar tone had this woman lost her memory?

Coincidence? What coincidence? Two strangers bumping into each other since when are we close?

Too awkward to face Su Yang, Tang Yeran refused to even look at her, giving only a slight nod. “Mm.”

Her coldness couldn’t have been more obvious, yet Su Yang acted oblivious, standing less than half a meter away, matching her step for step.

If Su Yang had said something more, Tang Yeran would have had a reason to snap back.

But the problem was, this person was a silent gourd, and that was what she hated the most.

In truth, Tang Yeran had picked up on Su Yang’s recent behavior, she could tell the other wanted to reconcile.

But she herself wasn’t willing.

The past was too distant, so distant that right and wrong no longer mattered much.

The end of a relationship was rarely ever just one person’s fault.

Tang Yeran had reflected on her own flaws, she was noisy, domineering in love, impulsive, sometimes clingy, and other times so caught up in having fun with friends that she’d forget to go home.

As a lover, she had many shortcomings. No wonder Su Yang hadn’t wanted to share everything with her.

She knew she had many flaws, but they only became glaringly obvious when she was in a relationship.

When she was alone, those flaws didn’t seem like such a big deal after all, they weren’t bothering anyone.

At her age, which was easier changing decades-old habits ingrained in her bones, or letting go of a relationship that had lasted only a few years?

Any sane person knew the answer.

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