Winston Fan's departure prompted Andy Ding and Nick Ning to leave early as well.
After all, they were all here to talk business.
Once the discussions were almost done, it was time to get back to their own work.
With that, there were even fewer people left at the villa.
But with fewer people around, some found it a lot more comfortable.
Shawn Yan, who had been hiding in his room lately and refused to come out, finally decided to show up.
"Little Princess... mmph mmph mmph..." Yuzhen Yin's words were instantly muffled by Ryan King.
"Shawn Yan, you're here," Ryan King quickly covered up.
That nickname 'Little Princess' was fine for joking in private, but calling someone by their nickname to their face? That was just asking for trouble.
Yuzhen Yin, you idiot!
Leo Mo and Theo Mo were snickering on the side.
Lucas Mu put down his game console and greeted Yan Shilang, "How come you haven't been out these days?"
"I've been painting in my room. It's way too noisy outside." Yan Shilang lowered his eyes, his porcelain-white skin looking even more translucent under the lights.
He really looked just like a little princess.
Whether Yan Shilang's excuse was true or not, everyone just took it at face value.
"You should come out more often. It's always lively here." Jing Shaohuai took the initiative to sit next to Yan Shilang and said, "There's a commercial district at the foot of the mountain—anything you want, they've got it. If you really hate the noise, go play halfway up the mountain, it's quiet there. And if you're just too lazy to move, stroll around the top—every villa has its own private garden. Even if you don't go in, just looking from afar feels pretty warm."
"Mm, thanks." Yan Shilang gave Jing Shaohuai a smile.
That smile made him look even more like a girl.
That nickname was even more fitting now.
"We've been playing down at the foot of the mountain for days. If you have any questions, just ask." Jing Shaohuai had this big brother vibe going.
"Okay." Yan Shilang replied, hesitated, then asked, "Miss Yin, she..."
"My sis? She's basically turned into a workaholic. She's been busy with work nonstop these days. She teamed up with Winston Fan, Andy Ding, and Nick Ning to start a project—they're planning to set up a research and development company, so she's been running around for the company stuff and hasn't had any time to play." Yu Zhen Yin answered quickly.
"I see." Yan Shilang looked relieved.
He hadn't seen Yina Yin for days, and he'd thought she was avoiding him.
Yan Shilang had almost gotten depressed over it.
"That's just how my sis is. People think she's all play and no work, but that's not true. When she's busy, she barely gets a break. Now that Sis Cherry is busy too, all the work's landed on her, so she just hasn't had time to hang out here." Yu Zhen Yin added.
Yan Shilang smiled, "Got it, thanks."
"You're way too polite!" Yu Zhen Yin chuckled, "We're all friends here."
"I'll come out more often." Yan Shilang sounded like he'd finally made up his mind.
After these days, he'd finally figured things out.
When it comes to feelings, he couldn't just sit around and wait—he had to make a move!
Since he already had those thoughts about Yina Yin, there was no way he was letting her slip by!
So what if there were tons of rivals?
Yan Shilang left in high spirits. Jing Shaohuai and Yu Zhen Yin exchanged glances, then huddled together and whispered, "Told you, our little princess is just a tsundere. Clearly, he's been into Yina for ages, but keeps playing it cool and won't admit it. Now, he's finally facing his feelings, right?"
Shang Xiaojin said, "So, the clear contenders right now are Winston Fan, Yan Shilang, Senior Gavin, Chen Shaofeng, and Kevin Wang. The rest are just waiting and watching, not worth considering."
Theo Mo nodded, "Strictly speaking, only Winston Fan, Yan Shilang, and Senior Gavin are serious competition."
"Exactly, Uncle is also keeping an eye on those three." Yu Zhen Yin agreed, "The other two don't stand much chance. Okay, let's place new bets! I'm putting my money on Winston Fan! My sis has been with Winston Fan almost every day lately, so his odds are definitely the best!"
"I'm betting on Yan Shilang," Jing Shaohuai said with a mischievous grin. "Don't forget, Yina's always had a weakness for pretty faces. Our little princess is so gorgeous, even the girls can't compete."
"We're betting on Senior Gavin," Leo Mo and Theo Mo chimed in. "He's the childhood friend, and he's closest to us. They're the most in sync."
"What about you two?" Jing Shaohuai looked at Lucas Mu and Shang Xiaojin.
Lucas Mu thought for a moment. "I'll bet on Winston Fan too. He's definitely the most mature."
Shang Xiaojin's eyes darted around. "I'll bet on Winston Fan too."
At that moment, Winston Fan—everyone's favorite—was just driving back.
He'd just come down the mountain, and before he even left Yulan Estates, there was a little fender bender.
A young girl on a shared bike fell right in front of the car.
The driver broke out in a cold sweat. "Mr. Fan, I... I..."
"Go check if she's hurt," Winston Fan said without even looking up. "If she's injured, take her to the hospital. The medical bills come out of your salary."
The driver snapped out of it, rushed out of the car, and helped the girl up. "Are you okay? Did you get hurt?"
The girl hopped up and down a couple times. "I'm fine, I'm fine, it was my fault for not paying attention."
Winston Fan saw the girl was really fine, nodded to the driver, and got ready to leave.
Just as the car was about to pull away, the girl looked up by accident and spotted Winston Fan. Her eyes instantly lit up and she shouted, "Senior!"
Winston Fan glanced over at the girl.
He didn't recognize her.
Not familiar at all.
But the girl acted like they were old friends, walking right up to Winston Fan with sparkling eyes. "Senior, I'm a student at Aston University, three years below you. I'm graduating this year! I know you—you're the top star on our school's celebrity list! The whole campus says you're the pride of Aston!"
This chapter isn't over yet~.~ Click next page to keep reading!
When Winston Fan heard she was from Aston too, he smiled and nodded, "Work hard."
"Yes!" the girl replied quickly. "My name's Wendy Fang. Senior, remember me!"
Winston Fan nodded slightly, then had the driver pull away.
Wendy Fang stood there, watching the car disappear into the distance. Only then did she pull her gaze back, muttering to herself, "Senior is really so handsome! We're both Aston grads, but the gap is huge. When will I be as amazing as him?"
Actually, Winston Fan isn't three years older than Wendy Fang.
Winston Fan went to college at Saint Diana Academy, and did his graduate studies at Aston.
So technically, they're alumni.
"Wendy Fang, what are you doing spacing out?" Someone came over and nudged her.
Wendy snapped out of it and replied, "Nothing, let's keep sending out resumes! If we don't find a job by the end of the month, we'll have to go back."
"Let's go," the person said. "By the way, do you think the resume we sent to Fan Corporation this morning will get us hired?"
Wendy Fang thought of Winston Fan just now, and her heart thumped. She looked down and said, "Who knows? We'll see if we're lucky."
Maybe the universe heard Wendy Fang's wish.
That afternoon, she got a call for an interview at one of Fan Corporation's education and training chains.
Wendy Fang tidied herself up and went to the interview looking sharp.