Zhao Chun smiled, "Shuyan."
Zhao Chun called out, "Yanyan."
Zhao Chun rubbed his nose and, using the tone you’d use to coax a three-year-old, said, "Little Yan, why aren’t you eating? If you don’t eat, you won’t grow tall~."
"Seeing you makes me lose my appetite," the little guy replied sullenly.
"Why though?" Zhao Chun looked like he’d been struck by lightning, deeply hurt. "Is Uncle really that ugly? Am I so disappointing that you can’t eat anymore?" But even when you’re angry, you’re still so adorable, little buddy.
"No, it’s because you’re so- ano-ying-!" The little guy’s soft yet defiant voice came through.
Zhao Chun glumly set down his chopsticks.
"You’re Chun Zisu, not Chun Tuanzi," the little guy continued to accuse.
"Son," Tian Sangsang patted his head and corrected him, "You got it wrong; he’s Yuan Zi, not Tuan Zi."
Right. That twin is called Zhao Yuan. Meng Shuyan looked a little awkward, "Uh, it’s Yuan Zisu!"
Zhao Chun stretched his neck, timidly looking at Tian Sangsang. "Can I ask... what exactly is ’Chun Zisu’?"
"No, you can’t," Tian Sangsang coldly responded.
Zhao Chun’s eyes welled with tears. Oh, man...
"Little Yan," Zhao Chun took out a White Rabbit candy from his pocket and continued with his three-year-old coaxing voice, "Uncle here has a piece of candy for you. It’s milk candy~."
Meng Shuyan let out a cold snort and raised his chin slightly, "I won’t eat it."
Zhao Chun felt like crying—why is coaxing a kid this hard?
"Why not, Little Yan? Milk candy... even Uncle eats it..."
Upon hearing this, Tian Sangsang and Guan Kunling both glanced at Zhao Chun.
Zhao Chun’s face flushed red.
Meng Shuyan glanced sideways at the White Rabbit candy. "This candy is too short."
Zhao Chun was dumbfounded. "What?"
"I’ve had taller candy than this."
"My mom gave me taller candy. The tallest candy in the world, Alpenliebe lollipops."
Guan Kunling’s eyes lit up. "Sangsang, Alpenliebe lollipops—what kind of candy is that?"
"I’ll give you one later."
Guan Kunling was unexpectedly appreciative, nodding. "Do you have Snickers too?"
"Yeah, I’ll give you a Snickers bar too."
"Can I also have one of each?" Zhao Chun stretched his neck.
"No," Tian Sangsang responded, supplementing, "Eat your meal honestly."
Zhao Chun’s eyes welled up again.
After the meal, it was time to talk business.
"East Sea Film Factory plans to shoot a classic titled ’Water Margin’ this year. They’ve taken a liking to your song and sent me over to negotiate. If you’re interested, I’ll have them contact you."
"What are their terms for buying the song?" Tian Sangsang asked.
"Well, I heard from the teacher that they’re willing to offer about 500 per song. That’s no small sum. For the exact amount, if you’re willing to sell, I can help arrange the negotiations."
Tian Sangsang replied calmly, "No need. I’ll only negotiate with you."
"You handle the negotiation, then come back to me. I have two conditions: One, the price cannot be less than 500. I can guarantee that this song will remain timeless for the next thirty years—I know its value. Two, the original songwriter credit must state ’Yadan.’
Zhao Chun wasn’t even thinking about whether he wanted to be the intermediary anymore; he was stunned. "How do you know Yadan? Could you be...?" Yadan’s surname is Tian, and Tian Sangsang’s surname is also Tian! Wouldn’t that make some sense!
"No," Tian Sangsang responded without a flinch, "Yadan is a friend of mine."
Yadan again? Guan Kunling raised her cold eyes as the name caught her attention.
Zhao Chun sounded disappointed. "Can I talk to your friend then? I really admire her!" For a moment, he’d almost convinced himself that Tian Sangsang might actually be Yadan.
"No," Tian Sangsang rejected him, "My friend doesn’t talk much."
Ah, a friend... one who doesn’t talk much...
Zhao Chun’s shining black eyes darkened as he pondered deeply. Suddenly, he secretly glanced at Guan Kunling. Could it be her? Rumor has it that talented people love being mysterious. Ever since earlier, he couldn’t figure her out at all... everything about her exuded an aura different from theirs.
"By the way, did you receive Yadan’s script? I remember telling you that I’d help make your wish come true."
"I received it. I’ll work hard to earn Yadan’s trust!" Zhao Chun added enthusiastically, "Has your friend had enough to eat? Should we get another bowl? Order whatever you want; I’m treating."
Guan Kunling’s guard was raised as she cupped her fist. "No need, thank you."
Her attitude was so cold that Zhao Chun didn’t dare say another word.
"Then we’ll take our leave," Tian Sangsang stood up and gave Zhao Chun a warm smile. "I’ll be waiting for your good news."
Zhao Chun obediently replied, "Okay." Then he waved, "Goodbye to you all. Little Yan, goodbye!"
"Goodbye," Meng Shuyan replied awkwardly.
Looking at his tiny demeanor, Zhao Chun really wanted to pat his head. But under the weight of Tian Sangsang’s authority, he dared not.
Tian Sangsang reached out and gently smoothed Meng Shuyan’s back.
"Sangsang." Check latest chapters at novel•fire.net
Guan Kunling softly asked, "Who exactly is Yadan?"
Tian Sangsang didn’t mind her asking; she smiled helplessly. "Yadan is actually me. It’s my pen name and alias. It’s another part of me."
"You don’t want people to know you’re Yadan?" Guan Kunling thought for a moment, piecing together Tian Sangsang’s earlier conversation with Zhao Chun, and quickly understood.
"Then let me handle it, how about that?" Guan Kunling offered.
Tian Sangsang was momentarily stunned. Li Yibai thought Yadan was Guan Kunling, and Zhao Chun seemed to think so too. What a coincidence! She didn’t want to reveal her identity and needed a decoy to keep Li Yibai in suspense. The cat-and-mouse game of her being in the shadows while the others chased in the light was strangely satisfying. She didn’t need Guan Kunling to outright claim she was Yadan—just enough of a false pretense to keep the mystery alive.
"Alright. Thanks, Kunling."
Guan Kunling nodded. "It’s my pleasure to help you."
Afterward, Tian Sangsang and Guan Kunling went around house-shopping. She planned to find a place for Guan Kunling to live. They eventually settled on a two-story building. The bottom level had been a shop while the upper level served as living quarters. They considered buying it so she could shuttle between the family housing complex and this new spot. It seemed ideal—if making essential oils became inconvenient, she could just work here. One home inside, one home outside—many people would envy her setup.
The only issue was that buying the house would use up half the money Jiang Jinghuai had given her. She’d still need to find a way to earn it back since selling songs alone wouldn’t suffice.
"Sangsang, I’d like to set up a small clinic at the entrance here. Maybe see patients occasionally—is that alright?"
Looking at Guan Kunling’s determined expression, Tian Sangsang sighed. "Kunling, you don’t need to report everything to me in the future. You are you; just do your thing."
"No..." Guan Kunling hesitated, her voice lowered. "I’m not me; I’m yours."
What yours and mine again... Tian Sangsang rubbed her forehead, reached out to pat Guan Kunling’s fragrant shoulder, and murmured, "Kunling, oh Kunling."
Guan Kunling stood upright, receiving her scrutiny.
"Remember this—you’re a woman, and I’m also a woman. You can’t say you’re mine. That kind of talk will give people the wrong idea. Don’t you have any male crushes?"
Guan Kunling remained quiet and shook her head. "No."
"You may not now, but someday you will."
"I won’t." Guan Kunling’s bright eyes glowed with unwavering determination. "I like you, Sangsang."
Tian Sangsang froze, a surge of warmth rushed through her heart. She gently embraced her. "I’m deeply moved—thank you for saying that." It was her first time receiving a confession since arriving in this strange world.