Growing Fond of You, Mr Nian

She remembered the last time they met.

On the bed in Venice, she was curled up in the sheets. She watched him get up. He had piercing eyes.

He looked over at her casually now, as if nothing had happened between them.

Yan Su’s mind was blank as if someone had doused cold water on her. She had pictured this scene many times in her head before, how it would be when they met again. Watching him now, she had no idea what he was thinking.

She decided she might as well stop trying to think about that. She sat down, smiling at Ji Nuanyi, Cheng Sheng, and Shi Xiang.

“Susu, why did you lose so much weight after coming back from Venice?” Shi Xiang frowned when he saw her. “Is it the competition? Don’t be too hard on yourself. You’re doing great.”

“It’s all right. I’m enjoying myself.” Yan Su smiled. She had realized her potential during the competition.

Ji Nuanyi said, “Look at how popular you are now. You’re almost at the same level as us.”

Li Ming laughed. “How the tides have changed. You were just a newbie last year, and now you’re one of the hottest young singers in the country, all in a year!”

Yan Su laughed with embarrassment at their compliments. She looked over at Ye Yunchang, who was using his phone.

She remembered how he had been kind and friendly to her last year when they parted ways, but he didn’t even look up to acknowledge her today when she arrived.

She had expected this. She represented them and had gone to the Venice Film Festival as well. Ye Yunchang might have been a little uncomfortable about that. It was such a grand event, after all. Everyone would have liked the opportunity to be in the international spotlight.

Mo Liuxi was flipping through the itinerary and said, “It’s easy to become famous. It’s hard for fame to last. Look at the singer who participated in King of Asia last year. He was popular then too, but nobody even talks about him now.”

Yan Su’s smile was frozen when she looked over at him. Ji Nuanyi said, “No one would take you for a mute if you don’t speak.”

Yan Su said softly, “Don’t say that, Sister Nuanyi. Director Mo’s words do make some sense.”

Mo Liuxi’s lips curled into a smirk. “There will be a lot of people who will try to flatter you when you become popular. Honest, sincere advice will be hard to come by.”

Ji Nuanyi ignored him and continued to talk to Yan Su, “We all haven’t seen each other in so long. Let’s go get Beijing duck after this, shall we?”

Yan Su said apologetically, “I’ll have to pass. I have something on after this.”

Mo Liuxi looked disappointed. Ji Nuanyi proceed to ask him, “Liuxi, are you coming along?”

“Nope. What’s so great aboutBeijing duck?” asked Mo Liuxi cooly.

Ji Nuanyi didn’t say a word. She knew he was more dissatisfied with the company than the taste of Beijing duck.

…

The event ended after half an hour, and Yan Su excused herself to go to the washroom. When she walked out, Mo Liuxi was walking toward her; his expression was distant and unfriendly.

Yan Su felt something pressing against her chest and was getting a little breathless.

When Mo Liuxi was standing before her, he blocked her path with his big and tall frame and placed his arm on the wall, suggesting that he was purposely blocking her way.

Yan Su looked up at him silently. He was quiet, too.

She could hear the sound of chatter from not far away, and they stood in silence for about a minute. Finally, Yan Su blurted out, “Do you want to have some more milk?”

Mo Liuxi, “…”

Yan Su realized what she had just said, and she was blushing now, “Sorry, I’m no longer breastfeeding.”