Growing Fond of You, Mr Nian

If he hadn’t known she was pregnant, he never would have guessed she was already a mother.

After all, she didn’t look at all like someone who had a child.

Damn it, why did she have to look so good after giving birth? She was more alluring now than ever before.

He wondered who the man was for her to be so loyal and all.

He wouldn’t believe her if she said it wasn’t Shi Xiang.

“Liuxi, what are you daydreaming about?” Lu Tao asked. “Come on, let’s get some breakfast.”

“Okay.” Mo Liuxi turned to leave with a bunch of people.

Cheng Sheng waved at her as a senior and said, “Come on, Yan Su. Let’s go together, shall we?”

“No, thanks. I’m going to pass. I’ve already eaten.” Yan Su thought it would be only more awkward if she tagged along, so she decided to beg off and excuse herself from the group.

“That’s too bad.” Cheng Sheng seemed disappointed.

When he heard her voice, Mo Liuxi looked at her sarcastically and quipped, “I distinctly remember Director Li inviting you to breakfast earlier, and you didn’t refuse him. How come you’re giving the excuse that you’ve already eaten now? What’s the matter? You don’t want to eat with us?”

Everyone frowned when he said that.

Yan Su felt as if she’d been put on the spot. She had already been shunned. Now she was being scrutinized. “No, I’m more than honored to be at the film festival with all my seniors. It’s just that Director Li had to talk to someone before I could decline his invitation.”

Director Li turned and looked at them at the mention of his name. He could sense that the atmosphere was getting tense and stared at Mo Liuxi before saying, “She says she’s already eaten. What’s the big deal? Don’t make things difficult for our lovely singer.”

With a surly expression, Mo Liuxi retorted, “I’m not trying to make things difficult. I’m just saying what came into my mind.”

Yan Su managed to force a smile and say, “Listen, you guys go ahead. I have work to do.”

“Well then, remember to come for dinner later. No excuses.” Li Ming laughed before he quietly whispered into Yan Su’s ear, “Don’t be too unfriendly here.”

Yan Su shot him a grateful look.

Mo Liuxi stalked off with the rest of the ground with his hands in his pocket.

…

When Yan Su got back to her room, Jiaojiao asked curiously, “Why didn’t you have breakfast with the rest of the crew? I saw all of them eating downstairs. They looked like they were having a good time with each other. The spread looked so yummy, too, with tons of choices.”

Yan Su sighed despondently, “I’m a singer. I don’t have much to talk about with directors and actors. It would be too awkward to eat with them, so I excused myself.”

“Is it Mr. Mo… did he single you out?” Jiaojiao was defensive, “He’s a guy. Why’s he so being so petty after breaking up? What a piece of work he is, so crass and tasteless.”

“It’s got nothing to do with him. Come on, forget it. Let’s go out and eat. We can walk around the canals too,” said Yan Su.

…

The sun cast a warm morning glow as gondolas floated by in the canal next to them.

Yan Su ordered a coffee and almond jam brioche at a cafe bathed in sunlight on the canal side.

She wasn’t used to the Italian breakfast.

Yan Su was engrossed in her surroundings and sipping her espresso when she suddenly spotted Yang Ziqian, Cheng Sheng, and Mo Liuxi walking toward her.

It was too late to try to hide now. Cheng Sheng caught her eye and greeted her, “Yan Su, I thought you said you’d already eaten? Why… why are you eating breakfast again?”

Yang Ziqian looked amused and said, “Probably because Liuxi was right; she didn’t want to have breakfast with us.”

Mo Liuxi turned his back to her and started feeding the pigeons bits of bread.

Yan Su’s face was red hot, and she quickly explained, “I saw that the sun was shining and wanted to enjoy it a little bit by the canal. It feels quite nice out here.”